The Taoiseach has said a date has not yet been set for the general election, but he will bring clarity to the matter "shortly".
Simon Harris has told RTÉ News that he wants to finish the work the Government has under way and will then "engage and take the views of the other coalition leaders in relation to the appropriate timing for a general election".
"I want to do that at a time that is right for the country and I also want to do it at a time that makes sense in terms of finishing the work," he said.
Mr Harris said he will not be doing his engagement or consultation through the media "but I will be bringing clarity to this matter shortly".
He added: "I am conscious it's my constitutional prerogative to decide when to seek a dissolution of the Dáil. But I’m also very conscious of the fact that I think this Government has worked very well together and therefore I want the Government to end well too."
Earlier, Tánaiste Micheál Martin indicated that the date of the general election will be dealt with by the three coalition party leaders within the next week.
Speaking to RTÉ News in Cork, Mr Martin agreed that there was now a need for clarity on the issue.
The comments come after Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said he wanted the General Election to be held on 29 November.
Mr Martin said he would not get into specific dates. He said the passage of the Finance Bill into legislation was "key".
"That is the only issue," he said.
"I always said we need to get work done before the general election, because we are here to represent people.
"The Planning Bill will make a difference to housing and infrastructure. The Finance Bill has to get done and it has to be done properly. That is the only issue.
"It seems to me that if Roderic is anxious to get it earlier - obviously the Taoiseach will have a say as well - but to me the Finance Bill is key. That puts flesh on the bones of the Budget.
"I would agree that there is a need for clarity at this stage, but I think this is something we can deal with next week."
Mr Martin said he had "always" favoured a February election date to allow the Government to complete its term, but he added: "The difference between December and February isn't huge."
Asked if Mr O'Gorman had overstepped the mark by calling for the election to be held on 29 November 29, Mr Martin said: "Politics is politics - I'm not too excited about it."
Taoiseach Simon Harris said he will engage with the other coalition party leaders before deciding the date of the election and will "not do that through the media," his spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said: "It is the constitutional prerogative of the Taoiseach to call a general election.
"The Taoiseach has consistently stated he will engage with the coalition leaders before deciding. He has also consistently stated he will not do that through the media."
'Time to bring clarity to the Irish people'
Earlier today, Mr O'Gorman said he will discuss the timing with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on Monday, but he believes it is time to bring clarity to the Irish people.
He said he has been canvassing on the doors and is "starting to get the sense that people are getting sick and tired of the 'will they - won’t they?'"
"Now is the time to bring some degree of certainty to the Irish people in terms of the election date," he told reporters.
"I’ll be meeting the other two coalition leaders on Monday what I’ll be saying to them is that I think we need to bring clarity and I’ll be saying my preference is for a November election, for the 29th of November.
"That gives us the opportunity to get those final pieces of legislation through."
The Maternity Protection Bill - allowing women who are seriously ill defer their maternity leave - is expected to pass next week. Hate Crime legislation is also likely to pass through the Oireachtas next week.
Mr O'Gorman said the Finance Bill needs a bit more work but if it is completed over the next three weeks, it allows for "a dissolution in early November and in my view an election on November 29th".
Earlier, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers said he expects the Finance Bill to come before the Oireachtas again on 5 November, and he does not expect it to come before the Dáil next week.
The bill gives effect to the measures announced in the Budget earlier this month, and Government party leaders are adamant they want it passed before a general election is called.
Speaking this morning following a business breakfast in Kinsale, Co Cork, Mr Chambers said it would be a matter for the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and leader of the Green Party to discuss "sequencing" once the Finance Bill comes before the Oireachtas Finance Committee in November.
He said he was open to an election before or after Christmas, and there was quite a narrow timeframe between the two.
"I am open to it either before or after Christmas. That is a matter for the party leaders to discuss," Mr Chambers said.
"I expect the Finance Bill to go before the Oireachtas on 5 November. The sequencing after that will be a matter for the party leaders discussions and I can consider the specific timeframe on the Finance Bill in the aftermath of the discussions the party leaders will have.
"But before or after Christmas is quite a narrow window anyway, and I am open to an election before or after Christmas.
"Most people in the Oireachtas are getting prepared whenever it might happen and we are due to have one in early spring anyway.
Taoiseach will call election 'when he is ready'
The Minister for Further and Higher Education has said there is only one person who gets the prerogative to call a general election, and that is the Taoiseach.
Patrick O'Donovan said while people are transfixed with the date, he said "other people can offer their opinions, but it's like I may as well be trying to pick winner of the 6.15 at Sandown, it's a total and absolute waste of time".
Asked when he would like to see the election take place, the minister said: "Whenever Simon Harris believes it's opportune, I think is the most opportune for the government."
Additional reporting Paschal Sheehy
