The Ceann Comhairle, Rory O'Hanlon, is to scrap plans to attend a major conference in Bali next week if Taoiseach Bertie Ahern does not dissolve the Dáil today, as rumours continue about Mr Ahern's election plans.
The Ceann Comhairle is scheduled to travel to the Indonesian island on Saturday to attend the 116th Inter-Parliamentary Union annual conference, along with the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Rory Kiely.
However, Mr O'Hanlon has now decided that he cannot travel if Mr Ahern does not dissolve the Dáil by this evening, since he is a member of the Presidential Commission which would have to accept Mr Ahern's decision in the absence of President Mary McAleese.
"Because the President will be out of the country one of them will have to stay behind, but the Ceann Comhairle does not leave until Saturday, so if the election is called beforehand then he would still be free to travel," said an Oireachtas spokesman.
Besides the Ceann Comhairle and Senator Kiely, the other member of the Presidential Commission is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice John Murray.
The last time a dissolution notice was served to the Presidential Commission was in 1992.
Two retiring members of the Oireachtas, Fianna Fáil's Dublin North TD Jim Glennon and Senator Mary Henry (Independent)will also travel to the gathering, which represents parliamentarians from over 100 countries.
The Presidential Commission fulfils all functions and duties of the office of the President if the office-holder is out of the country or if the office is vacant due to death, resignation or impeachment, and between the ending of one president's time in office and the inauguration of a successor.
President McAleese departs on Sunday for a five-day visit to the United States.
