Government to move writ for Donegal by-election

The Government will today formally move the writ for the Donegal South West by-election.

The Cabinet agreed last night after the High Court ruled there had been an unreasonable amount of delay in holding the contest.

However, votes on Opposition attempts to also have by-elections in Dublin South, Waterford and Donegal North East are expected to be voted down by Government.

The Attorney General is to appeal the High Court ruling in order to get clarification on the issue of separation of powers.

Government Chief Whip John Curran has denied accusations that the appeal is the latest in a series of delaying tactics by Fianna Fáil.

"The Attorney General seemed to give the clear indication that the appeal wouldn't be a long appeal and it was very specific," he said.

"He said there were significant points from a constitutional point of view to do with the separation of powers, as I indicated, but he didn't indicate by any means that that type of appeal would be a long appeal."