Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I understand the High Court made its decision this morning in the case taken by the Sinn Féin Party on the delay in holding the Donegal South-West by-election. The President of the High Court has described some of the arguments put up by the State as hyperbole and has stated clearly that the ruling on the issue did not offend the separation of powers.

May I ask the Taoiseach what is the response of the Government to this inordinate delay? The High Court is very clear in its judgment. Arising from the comment of the President of the High Court that if the Government does not rectify the position consideration will be given to issuing an instruction that this happen, I am sure the Taoiseach does not want to put the taxpayer to further expense in bringing this matter to the Supreme Court. The case has been moved here on a number of occasions by different parties in the House, both in respect of Donegal South-West, Waterford and Dublin South. In view of the fact that the Dáil majority is now less than the number of seats vacant and that the High Court has made a ruling in this case which is very clear, what is the Government's response to that? Is it the Taoiseach's intention now to follow on the High Court ruling by issuing a writ for the moving of the Donegal South-West by-election?

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