Cabinet set to accede to by-election pressure

THE Government is facing procedural mayhem in the Dáil, if it blocks Fine Gael and Labour’s moves to call the Meath and North Kildare by-elections before St Patrick’s Day.

With the Cabinet due to decide this morning on whether to oppose Fine Gael and Labour's decision to call early by-elections, sources indicated last night that the Government may be prepared to agree to an election date in early March.

Adding to the pressure already exerted on the Government by Fine Gael's decision to move the Meath writ today, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte yesterday broke with tradition and announced Labour would simultaneously move the North Kildare writ if the Government didn't do so.