John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute on behalf of the Government on the holding of the by-election to fill the seat vacated by George Lee last February. The Government intends to vote against the moving of the writ for the by-election. The Government believes this is not the appropriate time to hold it. Along with significant the economic challenges the country faces, the Government and the House are in the middle of an extremely busy legislative programme, which the Whips will acknowledge.

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