DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Ireland's election will likely be moved up to February after Green Party leader John Gormley announced Sunday the party is leaving the coalition government.

The Irish Times reported Gormley attributed the decision to drop out of the government to Fianna Fail's failure to keep the Greens abreast of major political developments.

"Our patience has reached an end," Gormley said.

The political breach will mean the general election will likely take place Feb. 25 instead of March 11 if a deal can be brokered between the government and main opposition leaders on a timetable for passage of key finance legislation, the Times said. The Finance Bill contains authorization for a $113 billion bailout by the International Monetary Fund.

Irish Central reported the general election could happen as early as mid-February if agreement can be reached on the bill.

The Green Party's action came the day after Prime Minister Brian Cowen resigned his leadership post in Fianna Fail but retained his government post.

"The important thing now is to have an orderly completion of the finance bill in the interests of the country and then obviously we move to a dissolution of the 1/8Parliament3/8 and a general election," the BBC quoted Cowen as saying.

The British network reported Gormley said the Greens had patiently waited for Fianna Fail to "resolve persistent doubts about their party leadership."

"A definitive resolution of this has not yet been possible and our patience has reached an end," Gormley said.

"We will remain true to our promise to support the finance bill from the opposition benches."