The Tánaiste Mary Harney has said she would like the upcoming by-elections in Meath and Kildare North to be held on the same day some time after Easter.
Fine Gael is planning to move the writ for the Meath poll tomorrow in an effort to have it held before St Patrick's Day, but reports this morning said the Government would use its Dáil majority to block the move.
Ms Harney refused to confirm today if this was the case, but did claim that it would be logical to delay the two by-elections until after Easter.
She said many members of the Government would be abroad in the run-up to St Patrick's Day, which would pose problems for Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.