The Labour party says its confident it can take the Dail seat left vacant this week by George Lee.

The former RTE Economics Editor romped home in the Dublin South constituency bye-election last summer, beating Labour’s Alex White into second place.

Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore says he doesn’t believe the government have any appetite to go to the polls in either that constituency or Donegal North West, where another bye-election is pending.

But he says if necessary he’ll move the writs himself.

“I think they’re going to try and avoid it – the last place Fianna Fail want to be is in front of the electorate” he said.

“The decision is taken by a vote of the Dail – so if they don’t move the writ reasonably soon we will certainly consider moving the writ ourselves and seeking to have those two by-elections held quickly” he added.