There are new indications this evening that the government will NOT call an early general election.

It's emerged that TDs will tomorrow be asked to extend the deadline for the final report of the Banking Inquiry.

The inquiry was due to conclude by the end of next month - but will now have until the end of January to issue its final report.

The inquiry is being run by a Joint Oireachtas Committee made up of TDs and Senators - and would automatically be disbanded when the Dáíl is dissolved for a general election.

The formal decision to extend the deadline would seem to suggest that an early general election is less likely - and that a ballot before February appears unlikely.

Separately this evening the Oireachtas has published a redacted copy of the investigation into the claims made by a banking inquiry whistleblower - who alleged that undue deference was shown to some witnesses or outside bodies.

The report by senior counsel Senan Allen describes the whistleblower as a "wholly unreliable historian" and, in some cases, dismisses their allegations as "arrant nonsense" and "outrageous".