Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Given that the Government intends to close down the Dáil until late September, would the Taoiseach consider holding the three by-elections at some stage during the recess? I recall that last year the month of September was used for the campaign on the Lisbon referendum. I recall the launch of the Labour Party campaign on 31 August last year on that referendum. The Chief Whip, in responding to the Labour Party moving the writ on the Dublin South by-election last week, said it could not be held because it would interrupt Dáil business. If the by-elections were held during the recess, naturally that would not interrupt Dáil business. I suggest that the Taoiseach considers moving the writs and holding the by-elections some time in September. We can have the campaign in September and then nothing will be interrupted.

See this speech in context