The Minister for Defence has said the General Election is unlikely to take place before March.
Tony Killeen said the Finance Bill, which will be published in mid-January, will take a number of weeks to make its way through the legislative process in the Dáil.
The Minister has also refused to rule out the possibility of the Government holding a referendum on the future on the Seanad on election day.
Fine Gael today accused the coalition of playing for time.
The Green Party had originally called for a January election, but a spokesman for the party today re-confirmed that it is committed to passing the finance bill.
Meanwhile, Labour has confirmed that they will be calling for the abolition of the Seanad.
The Government appears not to be ruling out holding a referendum on the issue on election day.
A source said talks on the issue have been held between Fianna Fáil and Green ministers and Greens are said to be receptive to the idea.
However, no final decisions have been made.
