Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government on this motion. I know that the Labour Party and Deputy Gilmore in particular have been raising this issue for a considerable period and I welcome the opportunity to outline the Government's position on it.

The issue of filling the vacancy in Dublin South has been kept under consideration by the Government since the passing of our former colleague, Seamus Brennan, who died on 9 July 2008. Following this consideration we will be opposing the Labour Party call to move the writ for the by-election in Dublin South. While I accept and the Government accepts many of the arguments that have been made by the Deputies opposite, I do not agree with the motion. While we fully acknowledge the right of our citizens to have full and proper representation here in the Dáil, I do not accept the contention made on a number of occasions that the Government is acting in an undemocratic fashion by not setting a date for the by-election in Dublin South — a contention made again this evening.

There is a precedent for by-elections not being held within a set period after the death or departure of a colleague from the House. It was during the first coalition Government of the 27th Dáil in 1993 and 1994 that the seats of two departed Members of this House were left vacant for more than 12 months. This fact was curiously omitted in the litany that Deputy Gilmore recited to the House. In this context the Government believes that the setting of the by-election to fill the seat of our late colleague, Seamus Brennan, should be for a date which takes account of the state of the public finances. This is more important than ever in this particularly difficult economic climate.

Taking into account the upcoming local and European Parliament elections scheduled to take place this June, I would like to confirm that the Government intends to run the by-election for Dublin South on the same day. We will move the writ accordingly for that purpose. On a day such as this, when stark economic decisions have had to be taken, Deputies from all sides will understand the sense in minimising the cost to the Exchequer in running elections. The Government believes this is the prudent approach. We do this while fully accepting the right of the people of Dublin South to full and proper representation. I would refute any suggestion that the Government is motivated in any way to the contrary. Among those who serve that constituency is the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who sits in front of me and who serves the constituency extremely well.

As the Minister of State with responsibility for active citizenship, I have a particular interest in achieving the highest voter turnout possible. In order to achieve this, it is important that we make voting easier and more convenient for more people. By holding the Dublin South by-election and local and European polls on the same day the Government is helping to promote voter participation while minimising the cost to the taxpayer. Fianna Fáil and the Government look forward to the opportunity to contest this by-election and any other elections we have to contest on that day. I hope the Deputies will agree that this is both a worthwhile and a correct approach.

See this speech in context