Fine Gael is so sure that the by-election writs will be moved next week that the entire frontbench is travelling to Limerick East on Monday to intensify what to date has been a low-level campaign, both there and in Dublin North, and for the big lunch for candidate Senator Mary Jackman. The Labour Party will move the writ, but it is up to the Government to decide the day within the 21-28 day limit. So will it be, as Labour wants, on Friday, March 13th when, it hopes, the young people will be at home to vote, or on Thursday 12th, the more traditional day or even Wednesday 11th? Quidnunc believes the Government will avoid Friday 13th, and the Nightmare In East Limerick jibes aimed at it, and will go for either Wednesday or Thursday. Ministers can then fly abroad for St Patrick's Day in peace.
Ironically the two constituencies contain the two biggest airports in the country and the dutyfree debate will feature prominently. The Government is still fighting to retain the employment-generating facility, but few believe it can win against the might of Brussels. Indeed, opposition parties are ready to capitalise on the fact that it was the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who as Minister for Finance agreed the abolition of duty-free at the ECOFIN meeting in February 1992.