Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

We have given three hours debate to an unlikely event. I do not detect any real desire for a summer election. If we held a straw poll on the Government side of the House, or on the Opposition side of the House, it would show that nobody wants a summer election. This call for a summer election is akin to whistling past the graveyard.

It is accepted that the most likely date for an election is in 12 months time, in May or June of next year. We all know what is happening here. If the main Opposition parties and we are serious about a general election, why offer the Government side a pairing arrangement? Why ask Deputies not to support their own motion and give the Government a way out? Are we afraid of our wish being granted? That is not logical. If we are serious about this here, let us pull the pin on the pairing arrangement. Let us stop this because otherwise it is a charade. That is what I believe. This is too serious an issue.

Tomorrow morning there will also be calls for an extension of Dáil sittings. We will call for the recess to be put back for another couple of weeks to sit and debate urgent issues. If we are serious about that, let us sit down and form an all-party committee here. Let us agree at the start of a term that we will extend Dáil time to debate these issues, not stand up here to call for an extension of Dáil time. Let us do something about it.

We should extend the Dáil term and meet international norms. The dual mandate has been done away with. I have called for this previously and if we are serious, we should call for it again. Regrettably, I will not support this motion.

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