The writ has been moved for the Meath East byelection to elect a successor in the constituency to the late minister of state Shane McEntee, who died in December.

The election takes place on Wednesday, March 27th and will be the first electoral test of the Government’s popularity since the general election two years ago.

The poll takes place under new regulations, whereby a byelection must take place within six months of the seat being vacated.

Moving the writ, Taoiseach Enda Kenny paid tribute to Mr McEntee, a close friend and colleague, who was himself elected in a 2005 byelection to succeed former taoiseach John Bruton.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore was heckled by the Opposition when he said the people of Meath East would have a clear choice to vote for a candidate from a party “which caused Ireland’s economic mess and which is now seeking its best to scurry away from it” or for a candidate “from a party which addresses the solution”.

Called for support

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin called for support for the party’s candidate, former TD and current Senator Thomas Byrne. Mr Martin said “this is a Government . . . of many broken promises”, including the “unfair property tax” and promises to reduce student fees.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams also paid tribute to Mr McEntee and his efforts to deal with the pyrite crisis.

He called for support for the party’s candidate Darren O’Rourke and said it would be an opportunity to “give a verdict on the Government”.

Independent TD Catherine Murphy said people would have mixed emotions on the election, sympathy and sadness for the McEntee family but concern about other issues, such as the property tax.