Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

The Labour Party supports the motion to move the writ for the Donegal South-West by-election. We believe in principle that by-elections to fill vacancies in the membership of the Dáil, whether as a result of a Member's death, resignation or election to the European Parliament, should be held at the earliest opportunity.

However, the timing of the motion needs to be taken into account. If it were passed today, the by-election would be held between 23 July and 30 July. Other than August, we cannot think of a worse time to hold a by-election. It would be at the height of the holiday season with many families on holidays, some out of the country.

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