Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with my colleague, Deputy Olivia Mitchell. When I have reached two and a half minutes, perhaps the Ceann Comhairle will inform me.

I wish to start by saying that I believe that where there is a vacancy in any Dáil constituency, a by-election should be held within a reasonable period of time. It is not unreasonable that, where a vacancy occurs, there is a two or three month delay before an election is held. However, one gets to a point at which the delay is grossly unreasonable. In the context of Dublin South, it is the third constituency in which there is vacancy. Donegal South-West, of course, is the constituency in respect of which there is the longest vacancy. It is my view that once we have this vacancy, there is a constitutional obligation on the Government to ensure that the vacant seat is filled within a reasonable period of time and that the electorate in Dublin South, those who live in Dublin South, have the full quota of Deputies, to which they are constitutionally entitled, to represent them in this particular House.

Of course, the reason the Government has opposed the writs moved for the Waterford and Donegal South-West by-elections and the reason I assume it will oppose the writ for this by-election is that it knows it has lost all moral authority to govern in this State. Essentially, what it wants to do is to put off permanently, if it can get away with it, the holding of any by-elections during its remaining term of office for very simple reasons. I do not believe when the by-elections are held in Dublin South, Donegal South-West or Waterford that there is any remote possibility that a candidate supporting either of the Government parties will be elected. I believe that the electorate will provide substantial support for the view overwhelmingly held among the general public that the time has come for this Government to leave office. I have no doubt that the only reason the Government is refusing to move is for fear that if it loses all three by-elections, the pressure on it for the holding of a general election will be absolutely unstoppable.

If the Government believes it has a mandate to rule, it should have the courage to allow these by-elections to take place. If it believes there are measures that need to be taken, it should get the moral authority from the electorate. It should not fear the electorate. A government which fears the electorate will see the electorate reap a whirlwind of revenge on it when it is finally forced to go to the country and we have either the required by-elections or the necessary general election.

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