'We have to be true to our word - we will finish our agreed agenda': Tanaiste rules out early election

"At the start of the Government and when key changes happened, the three-party leaders reaffirmed each of our commitment to a process for completing our mandate. I can tell you equally, clearly that nothing has changed. There have been no discussions about finishing our mandate early."

"Most of all we have to show that we can be true to our word in putting the people before politics. Governing is much harder work than campaigning," he said.

"I have no reason to believe that anything has been changed and each of the three party leaders has publicly and repeatedly reaffirmed that all decisions about completing our term will be discussed and agreed," he said.

"The list of laws the Tánaiste says need to be passed clearly indicates he doesn't see it as being possible to wrap up their work in a few weeks."

Read at Irish Independent