Gilmore challenges Taoiseach to go ahead with by-elections

The Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has challenged the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to proceed with by-elections in Donegal South-West, Dublin South and Waterford.

The Dáil will this evening vote on a Sinn Féin motion to move the Donegal contest, but the Government is expected to defeat the move.

Mr Gilmore has accused the Government of making by-elections some kind of "political patronage" that can be handed out like national lottery grants.

He also said if the contests were held then "a full Dáil could decide if Brian Cowen has a mandate to govern".