A legal challenge by Sinn Fein to the Government refusal to move the writ for a by-election in Donegal will be heard in October.
The challenge by Senator Pearse Doherty arises out of the vacancy created by the election of Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher to the European Parliament in June last year.
The High Court heard the State had no objection to an early date of October 18th being set for the hearing which may run into 2 days.
Speaking outside the court Senator Doherty said he was disappointed the Government did not use the occasion to set a date for the outstanding by-elections.
"The government have instructed their legal teams to defend this High Court action which is obviously going to cost money for the State and cost time" he said.
"And what we should be doing is allowing the people Donegal South-West to go to the polls as soon as possible and cast judgement on this government".
"But the reality is, they're running scared".
"Not just in this constituency, in Donegal South-West, but in Waterford and Dublin-South also" he added.