The Taoiseach has responded to the request from Martin earlier this month to hold talks in the new year

The Taoiseach has responded to the request from Martin earlier this month to hold talks in the new year

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has written to Micheál Martin for further discussions about a legislative programme ahead of a potential general election in 2020.

The Fianna Fáil leader wrote to the Taoiseach earlier this month to request an agreement on an election date, and indicated that the “sensible and logical option” was to agree to a set of legislative priorities up until the Easter break.

The confidence and supply deal between the parties will become “untenable” if a legislative programme for the new year was not set out, Martin subsequently told reporters.

“The alternative is, if there’s an agreement, a sensible agreement to wind down the Dáil with legislation that can pass that affects people,” said the Cork TD.

This evening, a spokesman for the Taoiseach confirmed he had written to Martin to offer talks about a proposed programme in the new year.

The Taoiseach may seek assurances regarding some Fianna Fáil TDs, specifically John McGuinness, who have said they will not abstain from any future motions of confidence in the government.

Yesterday, a Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes poll showed that support for the two parties was neck-and-neck, with both polling at 27% following a two-point rise for Fianna Fáil.