Bertie Ahern says Government should have called general election in June instead of serving full term

Bertie Ahern advises Simon Harris to take on a "small number of issues" but he'd have a June election if he had a say

Tabitha Monahan

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said if it was his decision, he would have called the next general election so it would take place in June “when it’s warm”.

Mr Ahern who attended the Fianna Fáil party’s 82nd ard fheis in Dublin on Saturday, said it was clear that the Government would complete its term of office, however, if he was Taoiseach, he would call an election sooner.

“If it was my decision, the elections would be in mid June when it’s warm and it’s bright until half ten at night, but that’s not going to happen,” he said.

There is less than a year until the next election and the newly appointed Taoiseach Simon Harris has made it clear that he intends to see the term through to the end.

While speaking to media at the conference, Mr Ahern predicted that the next election would instead be towards the end of February.

“The last Thursday or Friday in February, wear your gloves,” he said.

Mr Ahern, who was 44 when he became Taoiseach in 1997, said he wished Simon Harris well in his role as head of Government.

Asked what advice he would offer the new Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said it was important to focus on a small number of issues.

“I wish him well and he has a lot of experience. He may be 37 put he still has put in a lot of years so I wish him well. It’s hugely important I think for the country that it goes well. So, I give him my very best,” Mr Ahern said.

“I think it’s take a small number of issues and do the best you can with those issues,” he said.

“The one thing as Taoiseach, you get up in the morning and the day never runs as you think it will,” he added.

Speaking about the local elections, which is take place in June, he said: "Every election is a challenge and all I know and from what I have seen, they're (candidates) all out working hard and they're doing their best and trying to deal with the issues.

"It seems like very good reception. There is a long way to go – six weeks of hard work."