Politics

Lucinda Creighton: Varadkar should end election chatter and commit to a full term

The constant speculation about when is best to call an election distracts from the real business of government

It makes little difference electorally whether Leo Varadkar calls an election in June, September or February next year. Yet the Taoiseach could take one bold step and end the speculation today, by deciding that the government will go full term. Picture: Getty

Speculating about the timing of general elections in Ireland is almost as much a source of entertainment for commentators as the election process itself.

The amount of airtime and column inches such supposition generates is quite remarkable, yet the importance of such timing is debatable. Does it really matter if an election is called in June or October or November? And who benefits from all of the ‘Will he, won’t he?’ musings that go on ...