Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

-----of the House when we are making valid points. The point I am making relates directly to the Order in which we are expected to deal with these matters, as presented by the Taoiseach.

The Government is presenting a formula which will allow the Donegal South-West by-election to go ahead, in respect of which it has no choice because the High Court has stated that by-election must go ahead, but which is designed to stop the other three by-elections from going ahead. It is a manifestly political ruse by Government to deprive the Dáil from making a decision to hold the other three by-elections.

Like Deputy Kenny, before we agree the Order of Business I want clarification from the Taoiseach in regard to what is the Government's intention with regard to the appealing of yesterday's High Court decision.

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