Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I move:

That the Ceann Comhairle direct the Clerk of the Dáil to issue his writ for the election of a Member to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the membership of the present Dáil consequent on the resignation from Dáil Éireann of Martin Cullen, a member for the constituency of Waterford.

The Government intends to vote down this writ. Mr. Martin Cullen, a former Minister, resigned his seat some time ago and a vacancy therefore occurs. I wish Mr. Cullen, who has suffered chronic back problems for some time, well in his recovery. The Government, however, exhibits political cowardice because it will not go before the people in this or any other constituency and it clings to power because there are now three unfilled vacancies. It does this simply because the numbers in the Dáil allow Fianna Fáil and the Green Party to vote down a writ such as this.

The people of Waterford are entitled to full representation in this Dáil. They elected representatives on the last occasion and their verdict stands for itself. There is now a vacancy in that constituency and it should be filled. It is disgraceful that time and again the Government is afraid to go before the people in this constituency. We have selected our candidate, Senator Coffey, and Deputy Deasy needs assistance to deal with all the representations being made in his constituency.

This Government is guilty of political cowardice in refusing to contest the by-election in Waterford. I urge the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State, Deputy John Curran, to accept the writ and allow a by-election. It is not a distraction, but a necessary democratic facility to allow the people to have their say and to elect their full representation.

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