There's a new hint this evening as to the date of the general election.

It's been confirmed that President Michael D Higgins - who would be expected to stay in Ireland in order to dissolve the Dáil - will be on holiday from February 14th to 24th.

That means it's almost certain that the Dáil will have dissolved before then - in order to have a new government elected before Easter.

Most bookmakers expect the election on February 26th, with the Dáil being dissolved early in February.