Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris told The Irish Times that he expects the general election will be held in 2024.

Simon Harris told reporters in Dublin yesterday that the poll would happen in 2024. His comments end any remaining doubts over whether Mr Harris might wait until next February to hold the election. Any poll must be held before March 22.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he expects the general election to be held in 2024. Speaking in advance of a meeting of Coalition leaders tomorrow – where the timing of an election is set to be discussed – Mr Harris said he believes the Government will “amicably agree a time period” for the election.

Ten of thousands of homes have experienced power cuts as Storm Ashley sweeps across the island of Ireland. The stormy conditions have also seen several flights cancelled, including at airports in Dublin and Belfast. In the Republic of Ireland, ESB Networks said 53,000 customers were without power shortly after 5pm on Sunday.

A yellow weather warning remains in place as Storm Ashley hit Northern Ireland overnight. The first named storm of the season is expected to bring winds of up to 80mph in parts of the UK. Temporary flood defences have been erected along parts of the River Lagan in Belfast in anticipation of the storm.

Views in Galway Cith and Salthill, Galway, as a Met Eireann orange alert for Kerry, Leitrim, Sligo, Clare, Donegal, Mayo and Galway came into effect at 10am on Sunday and will be in place to 8pm as Storm Ashley sweeps across the island of Ireland.