Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I welcome the comments made by the Ceann Comhairle before this debate started. The remarks that he clearly put on the record will guide future Cinn Comhairlí. On behalf of the Labour Party, I thank him for making the position clear. I do not doubt that other Members of the House share my gratitude.

It is always a sad occasion when one is forced to move the writ for a by-election. It is even more difficult, in some respects, to support a motion calling for the writ to be moved following the death of someone who was not a member of one's party. As Deputy Mitchell said, almost nine months have elapsed since the death of Séamus Brennan and almost four months have elapsed since Tony Gregory passed away. The other House lost Tony Kett last week, of course. When a similar motion, relating solely to Dublin South, was moved in the House on 3 February last, the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Pat Carey, who is in the Chamber at present, said "I would like to confirm that the Government intends to run the by-election for Dublin South on the same day" as the European and local elections - 5 June 2009. I hope the rumours that have been circulating in Dublin South and, particularly, Dublin Central, over recent weeks are not true. The clear and honourable commitment that was given by the Minister of State in this House almost three months ago should not be overturned.

This country needs a new Government with a new mandate. I understand that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who is present in the Chamber, has said it does not matter who is in government, as the same problems would confront any Government and the same decisions would have to be made. While I agree that a new Government would face the same set of problems, I do not agree that it does not matter who is in government. If my party were in government, it would deal with these problems far differently. If the opportunity presented itself, we would get a mandate to address the various issues in a more effective, creative and courageous manner. As recently as this afternoon, the Taoiseach said during Leaders' Questions that the Government has been dealing with these problems for the last 12 months, but that is simply not the case. As recently as last June, the Government asked what the problem was. It told people to wake up and smell the coffee, rather than continuing to talk down the Irish economy. In August of last year, Ministers disappeared to play golf, go birdwatching or do whatever else they were doing in those days. When they came back, they announced in a mood of shock and horror that a budget was needed. We said at the time that such a stunt would backfire in its face. Every move the Government has taken has been confronted and contested. Its measures have not worked or have not worked effectively. The one great thing that has happened is that this Government, by means of its blundering and its incompetence, has taken away the hope of the Irish people. As Deputy McGuinness has said, it is simply not up to the job.

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