A former government minister has said that February 26th is the best guest we could make at the date of the general election.

Pat Rabbitte says he no longer has the inside knowledge that came with sitting at the Cabinet table.

But he said believes the election will be called soon after the Labour Party conference on January 30th.

Deputy Rabbitte says all the party conferences should be allowed to happen, making late February a likely election date.

While the Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin is advising politicians against taking any leave between now and the end of March.

Speaking earlier, he said the government still has some work to do before any election is called.

The Dáil has returned today for the final time before the election.

While February 26th is being suggested as a likely polling date, Minister Howlin says they are not finished just yet.