Fionnán Sheahan: Taoiseach Simon Harris’s polling day perils, six by-elections and the Bilderberg three

Taoiseach Simon Harris (right) is hoping to see Nina Carberry (centre) elected to Europe – but he may find Leo Varadkar (left) possibly deciding not to run in the next general election to be a bigger headache. Photo: PA

Fionnán Sheahan

The countdown to the general ­election really begins this day week. Josephine and Joe Public favour the Dáil running the full term. Taoiseach Simon Harris is going around declaring the election won’t be until next spring – sure what else can he say.

But from next Monday, the Taoiseach will have a rather more firm decision to take on the timing of the general election as the Coalition will have to determine when a series of by-elections will be held. The Dáil must issue the writ within six months of the death or retirement of a TD. Next Monday morning, there’ll be a bunch of letters of resignation arriving on to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl’s desk.