Irish prime minister plans to call general election this week

Simon Harris expected to dissolve parliament on Thursday or Friday, with election day likely to be at end of November

The Irish prime minister, Simon Harris, has said he plans to call a general election this week, paving the way for a polling date likely to be at the end of November.

Harris is expected to dissolve the Dail, or Irish parliament, either on Thursday before a meeting of European leaders in Budapest, or on Friday when he returns.