Taoiseach Enda Kenny said on Monday he has decided on the date for the general election.

However, Mr Kenny declined to share the date when speaking to the media at the launch of a Fine Gael advertising campaign.

He said he would make the announcement publicly but did not commit to making it in the Dáil.

Mr Kenny said: “I have already said the election will be held in early Spring and I am sticking with that. I have a date in my head, yes.

“I will share that with you and everyone else when I go to Áras an Uachtaráin. Obviously everyone knows a general election is on the way and we will have that in early Spring.”

Asked if he will make the announcement in the Dáil, Mr Kenny said: “I will make it in a very public fashion.”

The Taoiseach was speaking as he launched Fine Gael’s advertising campaign for the election.

Mr Kenny said this would be a crucial election for the country.

He said his proposition is for the re-election of Fine Gael and Labour and he is not going beyond that.

It is widely expected that the general election will be held on February 26th.

Fine Gael will hold their annual conference next weekend and Labour will hold theirs the last weekend in January.

It is anticipated Mr Kenny will go to Áras an Uachtaráin after that.