The Green party have announced they are leaving the Irish government which will move up the date of the Irish election.

The move effectively moves up the date from March 11 to either mid February or late February.

The Greens have stated that they will support passage of the Financial Bill which contains the authorization for the IMF funding.

Opposition parties Fine Gael and Labor believe that the bill can be put through the parliament's both houses by Friday of this week.

Fianna Fail however, have stated that they do not believe they can get the bill through in that time period.

IF the parties cannot agree a general election will be in Mid February. If they agree on a one week time period to pass the financial bill it will be later in February.

Fianna Fail face a nightmare period of electing anew party leader and then going straight into an election campaign where they will face a very tough election.