Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I read in one newspaper this morning that spokespersons for the Government clarified the matter at some stage during the course of yesterday evening indicating that it was the Government's intention to hold the Dublin South by-election on the same day as the local and European Parliament elections, but not to hold the Dublin Central by-election on that date. I ask the Tánaiste for a clear statement as to when the Government intends to move the writs for these two by-elections. I understand the writs would need to be moved before the second week in May if the by-elections are to proceed on 5 June. The Tánaiste should clearly indicate to the House this morning the Government's intention with regard to the moving of the writs. Of course it is open to Opposition parties to move the writs in circumstances where the Government fails to do so. What are the Government's intentions with regard to the moving of the writs so that the Labour Party can make its decision as to whether and when we might bring a motion before the House to move them?

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