Byelection will be first Dáil electoral test of Cowen

THE byelection in Dublin South caused by the death of former Government minister Séamus Brennan will be the first Dáil electoral test of Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Sitting senators Maria Corrigan of Fianna Fáil and Labour’s Alex White are expected to be the frontrunners for the seat Mr Brennan has held since 1981.

A former producer of the Late Late Show on RTE, Mr White polled 3,575 first preferences in last year’s general election, ahead of Ms Corrigan’s 3,438.