GOVERNMENT and Opposition sources expect the Dail to be dissolved next Thursday and a general election on June 6th.
Despite yesterday's Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll results showing the Government 12 points behind a Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats coalition, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, gave a strong indication the election would go ahead next month. He said it was likely the election would take place before the summer and an opinion poll would change Government plans.
Government and Opposition sources also said yesterday the pre-election preparations were so advanced a decision to postpone until autumn would be perceived as cowardice.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said the poll would not affect the timing of the election.
With the drop in support for Fine Gael (down 4 per cent) and Mr Bruton (down 8 per cent) in the poll being linked to conflicts in the Taoiseach's evidence about party fund-raising at the beef tribunal in 1992 and the Dunnes tribunal, Mr Bruton sought to divert attention back to Fianna Fail.
He said Fianna Fail should insist its former leader, Mr Charles Haughey, give evidence to the Dunnes tribunal. His comments prompted a round of sharp exchanges with the Fianna Fail chief whip, Mr Dermot Ahern.