Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Arising from the last remark of the Taoiseach, it is the responsibility of this House what to do about by-elections. I suggest the Taoiseach brings in a Bill, accepts a Bill that we have published or accepts the recommendation of the Oireachtas committee that these matters be regularised, that the Dáil should have a legislative basis for saying that all future vacancies be filled within a six month period. That does not imply that the cases of Waterford, Dublin South and, now, Donegal North East, cannot be dealt with forthwith. The Taoiseach's pathetic attempt to say in those cases that he thinks I am referring to six months from the publication of any Bill, is nonsense.

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