The first woman elected to represent north Kildare in the Dáil tonight vowed to be a thorn in the side of the Government.

Voters go to the polls this morning in the Meath and Kildare North constituencies in two eagerly-awaited by-elections.

Around 1,000 affordable houses will be provided in Kildare and Galway, Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern said today.