Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister of State agree that this is not a convoluted, difficult decision but a clear one? The by-election must be held. Does the Minister of State agree that the Government can run but cannot hide from the people? The court said that the people must have their day. Is there any reason why the Cabinet does not sit down, whether in Farmleigh, in cupboards or out of them, stop hiding from people, take out the calendar and select the date? Is it not time to have a general election? The Minister of State spoke about responsibility, the decisions about the budget and the four-year plan. Do we not need a new Government to draw up the four-year plan? We can have a general election or a by-election before Christmas. Is that not the most reasonable thing to do under the circumstances?

See this speech in context