Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

If that is the Senator's view, so be it. As I stated last week, the effect of this amendment would be that the temporary derogation for Members of the Oireachtas who stand as candidates in the European Parliament elections next June to hold a dual mandate until the next general election to both Houses would not apply. The derogation negotiated during discussions from 1998 to 2002 allowed for a rolling derogation because of the requirement in this country for by-elections to fill vacancies. If a Member of this House was elected or became an MEP by virtue of being a replacement candidate, there would have to be a by-election. Senators old enough to remember should refer back to 1979.