It comes as ads for Fine Gael candidates appeared in the ‘wrong’ constituency.
New Micheál Martin posters spotted in Dublin
A picture of the Fianna Fáil posters featuring the Tánaiste, which are believed to be in preparation for the upcoming election, has been circulating on social media.
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A picture posted by RTÉ’s Fiachra Ó Cionnaith shows the posters, which bear the slogan “Moving forward together”, in Park West in Dublin.
It comes just days after Mr Martin ruled out the early elections, saying that the Government has “to be true to their word” and “will finish their agreed agenda”.
On October 3, the Foreign Affairs Minister added that there have been no discussions about finishing their mandate early.
“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,” Mr Martin said.
“I can tell you equally, clearly that nothing has changed. There have been no discussions about finishing our mandate early.”
His comments clarified that his view is that the Coalition’s term of office runs into the next year.
The Fianna Fáil spokesperson told the Irish Independent that “there is nothing unexpected in this”.
“It has been standard practice for many decades for all political parties to be well advanced with all aspects of their preparations six months out from an election. Fianna Fáil is no different.”
“It is widely known and clear that all parties are already well into their preparations for the next general election,” they added.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach seems to have gotten lost on the northside of Dublin.
General election fever is in the air with everyone wondering when Simon Harris will fire the starting gun.
The Fine Gael leader is busy promoting his candidates with campaign style postering.
He’s got huge billboards erected with his face alongside his new contenders.
One such advertisement is up in North Strand in Dublin, in the the shadow of Croke Park, in Paschal Donohoe’s constituency of Dublin Central.
But the candidates featured are from the next constituency up the road, Dublin Bay North.
Dublin Bay North starts a mile up the road at the River Tolka – not on the banks of the Royal Canal.
Fine Gael denies the postering job was a bridge too far.
The party says the poster is there to catch the commuters.
“With a General Election to take place by next March at the latest, Fine Gael are ensuring we maximise the profile of our new general election candidates beforehand. Leaflets, billboards, bus stop posters, and all communications are being used to ensure our candidates are well known ahead of the next General Election,” a spokesman said.
“The billboard you refer to is placed on the main route to and from the city for Dublin Bay North commuters.”
It’s not the first time this year that Fine Gael posters have been misplaced. During the European elections, posters from Ireland South ended up in Longford, which is in Ireland Midlands North West.
Fine Gael’s efforts to boost their candidates have gone to extremes in the past. During a previous general election, billboards for candidates from Mayo ended up being erected in Kilkenny.
