Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The Government of the day should acknowledge the wishes of Mr. Gregory's supporters in this regard. I suggest that there should be a legislative or constitutional imperative to hold a by-election within a certain specified period of time after a casual vacancy arises. It should not matter that such a vacancy has arisen as a result of a Deputy's death, retirement or resignation. Such a system would be the only way to remove the uncertainty that exists at present, to ensure that the memory of the former Member of the Oireachtas is respected and to ensure that the citizens of the relevant constituency maintain the proper political representation to which they are entitled.

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