Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I welcome the fact that the Government is moving the writ for the by-elections in Dublin Central and Dublin South and I note that it is proposed to be taken without debate. We have had two debates on the writ already, one in respect of a Labour Party motion some time after Christmas, in which we sought to move the writ and, more recently, a Fine Gael motion some two or three weeks ago which sought to move the writ. The Taoiseach indicated very strongly yesterday that he does not like talk in the House about elections, a new disposition for the Taoiseach. The year in office has had a terrible effect on him. He used to love elections and debating elections and it is dreadful to see this happening to him. However, in deference to his desire not to discuss elections I agree to have the two motions taken without debate.

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