GOVERNMENT and Opposition sources expect the Dail to be dissolved next Thursday for a general election on June 6th.
Despite yesterday's Irish Times/ MRBI opinion poll results showing the Government 12 points behind Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, yesterday gave a strong indication the election would take place next month. Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, Mr Spring said it was likely the election would take place before the summer and that no opinion poll would change Government plans for the election.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, asked in London if the poll findings would affect the Government's handling of the peace process, said: "I have every capacity to be constructive in both good and difficult times. If you look at my record, I have thrived in difficult times.
Government sources also played down the significance of the poll yesterday, saying that, while it showed a drop of four points in Fine Gael support, Fianna Fail's core vote was also down and there was no surge of support for opposition parties.
Government and Opposition sources also said yesterday that the preelection plans were so far advanced that a decision to postpone the election until autumn would be perceived as an act of political cowardice.
The Government parties would have a better chance of making up the gap now than in the autumn, when they would be seen as having "run away" from the electorate, the sources said.
Important measures are scheduled for approval by the Dail on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Thursday's business is light, adding to speculation that the Taoiseach would seek a dissolution from the President that day.
The Electoral Bill, providing for Slate funding of political parties and public disclosure of private political donations, is to pass all stages on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Dail is scheduled to approve the dispatch of a contingent of 50 Irish soldiers to the Sfor peace enforcement force in Bosnia. In addition, the Bill putting the compensation tribunal for hepatitis C victims on a statutory basis is due to pass its final stages.
Thursday is mainly taken up with statements by deputies on the recent ESRI report forecasting good times for the economy over the next six years.
Should the Taoiseach decide to ask the President to dissolve the Dail on Thursday, he would have to do it before lunchtime, as she is due to leave the State between noon and 1 p.m. In the absence of the President, however, he could seek a dissolution from the Presidential Commission.
Yesterday the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, hailed "the foresight and innovation of Fianna Fail Ministers for Finance between 1987 and 1994", claiming credit for his party for the good performance of the economy.
He criticised the Government for increasing spending by three times the rate of inflation and said a Fianna Fail government would implement cuts in taxation and eliminate borrowing to finance day to day spending.
The Progressive Democrat leader, Ms Mary Harney, said her party was on course for its best election result. She predicted the PDs would win more than the 14 seats won in 1987.