The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has hinted that the two by-elections, in Limerick East and Dublin North, may take place in March, alongside the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty. The vacancies were created by the death of the Labour TD, Mr Jim Kemmy, in Limerick, and the resignation of Mr Ray Burke in Dublin.
In an ambiguous remark in the Dail yesterday, the Taoiseach replied "one never knows" when asked if he intended to hold the by-elections on the same day as the referendum.
He told the House the Government hoped to publish the Bill to allow for the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty early in the New Year. The referendum is to pave the way for Ireland's ratification of the treaty, which proposes radical changes in the EU.
It is traditional for the party which has lost a Deputy to move the writ for the subsequent by-election. Labour is expected to make the move when the Dail resumes after the Christmas recess. ail is ready for spring by-elections in the spring.
Fianna Fail will hold its selection convention for Limerick East next weekend and the party's candidate in Dublin North will be chosen the following weekend.
Sources said the former Dublin goalkeeper, Mr John O'Leary, may still be persuaded to become the party's candidate in Dublin North. The Taoiseach's niece, Ms Amy Ahern, who lives in Malahide, has also been mentioned as a possibility, but it is known that Mr Ahern is anxious not to be accused of nepotism.
An official with the Limerick GAA County Board, Ms Sandra Marsh, is tipped by party sources as the candidate likely to emerge from the Limerick East convention. However, other figures, including Mr Peter Power and the former Lord Mayor, Mr Jack Burke, are seen as strong contenders.
Labour's Senator Sean Ryan is tipped to be selected as the party's candidate in Dublin North next week. The situation is not as clear-cut in Limerick, where the organisation recently suffered the resignation of two high-profile members. Ms Jan O'Sullivan is favoured by the party leadership to represent Labour in Limerick.
Fine Gael has already selected Senator Mary Jackman to contest Limerick East and the party will hold its Dublin convention on December 11th. Nominations do not close until tomorrow and at least four contenders are expected to seek the candidacy.
Mr Philip Jenkinson, a farmer and businessman from near Lusk, is seen as a prospective candidate, as well as Mr Cathal Boland, Mr Sean Dolphin and Mr Stephen McCullen. Fine Gael polled strongly in the general election in the constituency and did well there in the presidential election.
The Progressive Democrats have chosen Mr Tim O'Malley, a cousin of Mr Des O'Malley, as its Limerick East candidate, but no decision has been made in relation to Dublin North. Mr Finian Fallon, a son of Garda Richard Fallon, who was killed on duty in 1970, has indicated he wishes to contest the selection convention.