By-elections in Meath and North Kildare are to go ahead on 11 March, after the Government bowed to Opposition pressure over the timing of the polls.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern held a meeting this morning with Tánaiste Mary Harney to discuss the timing of the by-elections.
Mr Ahern had wanted to delay the votes until after Easter, but faced with Opposition threats of non co-operation in the Dáil, the Government has decided to allow them to go ahead in three and a half weeks.
The Fianna Fáil candidate in Kildare will only be selected on Thursday.
The PDs are challenging in both constituencies, as is the Green Party, while Sinn Féin is running a candidate in Meath. There will also be a number of strong Independents.
However, much attention will focus on Fine Gael and Labour, and whether the two parties can lay the basis for a partnership in the next general election.
By-elections do not really give much indication of general election results, particularly as no government has won a by-election since 1982.
But if Fine Gael and Labour can work effectively together, a joint campaign for Government will gain credibility.
