Sun Sep 15 11:59:23 UTC 2024: ## Donohoe Confident of Full Term, Election in 2024, Despite Speculation

**Dublin, Ireland** – Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has dismissed speculation of an early election, stating his belief that the current government will see out its full term and a general election will take place in 2024.

Speaking on Newstalk’s Anton Savage Show, Minister Donohoe emphasized the value of a stable government, particularly during a period of economic recovery. “I believe one of the reasons we have been able to make the case for our efforts is the value of having a stable government,” he said.

Despite recent opinion polls showing Fine Gael gaining a 5% lead over Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil, Minister Donohoe indicated that voters are more focused on the substance of an election rather than its timing. “My own sense is voters are far more interested in the substance of an election rather than the timing,” he stated.

Regarding the €14.1 billion in taxes Ireland has been ordered to collect from Apple, Minister Donohoe asserted that the ruling will not affect Budget 2025 plans. He explained that spending such a significant amount in a single year would be impractical due to the potential for inflation and the lack of workforce capacity.

The Minister also refuted suggestions that Ireland and Apple had a “sweetheart deal”, reiterating that Ireland had been right to defend its case despite losing in court. He strongly rejected the notion that Ireland had gained an unfair advantage over other EU member states, highlighting the changes made to corporate tax policy in recent years.

Minister Donohoe’s comments suggest that the current government is confident in its ability to remain in power until the scheduled election next year. However, with the upcoming Budget and ongoing economic challenges, the political landscape remains dynamic, and the possibility of an earlier election cannot be entirely ruled out.

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