By-election for Gallagher's seat will not be held with Lisbon vote

Taoiseach Brian Cowen today ruled out a Donegal South West by-election at the same time as the second Lisbon Treaty referendum.

The seat in Tánaiste Mary Coughlan’s constituency was vacated by Fianna Fail’s Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher after his election to the European parliament last month.