ELECTION speculation surfaced when the Taoiseach was asked by the Fianna Fail leader when the informal meeting of the EU heads of state to discuss the intergovernmental conference was likely to be held. When Mr Bruton said the date being discussed was May 23rd, Mr Bertie Ahern asked if he thought it suitable. The Taoiseach replied: "The date being suggested for the informal summit is suitable to me, yes." Mr Ahern observed: "That is another date off the calendar."

Mr Bruton said the only reception he would be hosting before the end of the year was scheduled for May 26th in Dublin Castle to mark the holding of the 48th world congress of the international real estate federation.

His predecessor, Mr Albert Reynolds, had agreed in 1993 to host the reception, he added.