FIANNA FAIL suspects the Government intends to upstage its annual ard fheis next month by calling the general election on April 17th, with polling on May 15th.
Following the party's front bench meeting yesterday, the chief whip, Mr Dermot Ahern, said "a number of signs and a number of contacts" in recent days had led them to the conclusion that the Government intends to go to the country in mid May.
"We expect the general election will happen sooner rather than later, a lot sooner," Mr Ahern said.
Government sources said, however, that the Coalition leaders have not yet decided on a date, though the matter has been discussed. "It would be very strange if they had not discussed it from time to time," one source said. "It is a matter for the Taoiseach in consultation with the other party leaders. Dates are speculative at this stage."
Under the Constitution, a minimum of 21 days must elapse between the dissolution of the Dail and polling day.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, told yesterday's meeting he expected the general election to be called next month for a May poll. Fianna Fail's ardfheis is scheduled to take place in Dublin on April 18th and 19th, and senior party sources said yesterday the announcement of a general election would inevitably rob their conference of significant publicity.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahern and hid front bench colleagues discussed their election strategy and, according to the chief whip, the parts manifesto will be finalised by Easter and published as soon as the general election is called.
Fianna Fail's advertising campaign will be officially launched in Dublin next Sunday, while its policy on drugs will be published on Monday.