The date for the two crucial by-elections is to be set this afternoon when Labour moves the writ to fill the vacancy in Limerick East caused by the death of Jim Kemmy.
Fianna Fail will immediately move the writ for the Dublin North by-election, caused by the resignation of Mr Ray Burke. The Minister for the Environment will then set the poll date, which the Taoiseach said last Friday would be either March 11th or 12th.
The Labour Party, however, is continuing to press for a March 13th poll. "This would give students or workers returning home for the weekend an opportunity to vote", a Labour spokesman said yesterday. However the decision rests with the Minister for the Environment.
Canvassing in the three weeks to polling day will be intense, as the results could have major implications for Government stability. The Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat Government, with the regular support of three Independents, is currently in a position to win Dail divisions by 83 votes to 80.
A loss of both by-elections would reduce this margin to just one, making the Government vulnerable should just one of its three Independent supporters - Ms Mildred Fox, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae and Mr Harry Blaney - choose not to support it.