Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I support the call for a by-election for Dublin South. As has been stated by my colleagues former Deputy Brennan was a highly respected Member of the House who was extremely well liked and very popular in Dublin South. He was an active Deputy in the constituency and nationally a great reformer. He is sadly missed and mourned still in the constituency even by those who never voted for him because he commanded such great respect. We all accept it would have been unseemly to rush to replace him in the Dáil. However, it is seven months since he died and it is now time to have a by-election to replace him. I believe he would have wanted this. He would not have wanted a vacuum created in the constituency — a vacuum for his own party which he represented over many years in the Dáil. Given his devotion to his party he would not want to see the people he represented go unrepresented.

Some newspaper reports have suggested that the by-election would take place in June in tandem with the local and European Parliament elections. It would be unthinkable to leave it until June which would be a delay of almost 12 months. In any event it would distort the outcome of the election. Having so many issues to discuss at one time is not fair to the people of Dublin South, as it would distort the vote, particularly if there was also a referendum on the Lisbon treaty.

Notwithstanding the excellent representation from the existing Deputies in my constituency, including in particular the two Fine Gael Deputies, there is a demand on the ground for a by-election. There was an understanding that it would be put off for a certain amount of time. However, the people now feel underrepresented and consequently disadvantaged. These are difficult and very uncertain times. There has never been a time when full Dáil representation — not just for the constituency — was needed more. In any event it is the entitlement of the people of Dublin South to have five representatives.

While it is understandable that the Government might be reluctant to put to the test its record of handling the economic mess in which we find ourselves, the prospect of failure or even contemplating failure should not influence the march of democracy. There is a demand from the people of Dublin South and the Fianna Fáil voters in Dublin South to have former Deputy Brennan's seat filled now. As my colleague has said, this is an opportunity for the Government to seek a mandate and let us see what the people have to say. I support the motion.

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