Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On promised legislation and the Government's intentions on the new term after the Christmas, can the Taoiseach indicate to the House when he intends to move the writ for the Donegal South-West by-election? It cannot have escaped his notice, as it has not that of the wider populace, that a vacancy in the Seanad could be filled almost instantly. It is ridiculous that a Seanad vacancy can be filled almost instantly, yet look at the contrast - the public do not have the right to exercise a mandate in Seanad elections.

With regard to the Donegal South-West by-election, some six months have passed since the European elections in June. A vacancy exists in that constituency, so I want to know when the Taoiseach intends to move the writ. Will he move it this week or does he intend to do so tomorrow? Or will he commit now that on the resumption of the House after the Christmas recess, he will move the writ in the first sitting week in January? In that case, the people of Donegal South-West can exercise their democratic choice and pass judgment on the measures that the Taoiseach and his Government have visited on them.

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