Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that next year will not be an election year.
Speaking to political reporters ahead of Christmas, Mr Kenny said he was focused on the challenges ahead.
"Brexit, public pay, water, the Citizens' Assembly, the Eighth Amendment and the outcome of many challenges we face at a European level. 2017 is going to be a very busy year," he said.
I am not even contemplating another election. There won't be one for three years.
"I am genuinely focused on the challenges ahead."
Mr Kenny also said British Prime Minister Theresa May will visit Dublin for talks on the Brexit process next month.
Mr Kenny said the details have yet to be worked out but he spoke to Ms May briefly about this in Brussels last week.
"I thanked her for accepting an invitation to come here," he said.
Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD confirms British PM @theresa_may will meet him in Dublin next month to discuss #Brexit @rtenews pic.twitter.com/LIclIHocA7
— Conor McMorrow (@ConorMcMorrow) December 21, 2016
"That would provide a real opportunity to have an engagement and also to have greater clarity from the prime minister as to the position that Britain are moving towards in terms of the kind of relationship they want to have with the European Union after Article 50 is triggered at the end of March."
Mr Kenny visited Ms May at Downing Street in London last July, when Brexit was also top of the agenda.
Watch the full Enda Kenny press conference below:
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