Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

There is no doubt Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns, President of the High Court, delivered a very fine and considered judgment yesterday. However, he did not deal with the separation of powers issue. I understand and respect the views of the Attorney General, Mr. Paul Gallagher, on that matter. As other Members on this side of the House have stated, it is a separate issue from that relating to the inordinate delay in holding the outstanding by-elections. The two issues must be separated and that relating to the separation of powers must be parked.

I take Senator Boyle's point. Perhaps there is a need to decide, in a political context, what should be the normal period to be observed before by-elections are held. Should it be three months, six months or should some other timeframe apply? That matter should be resolved in order that disputes and political bickering will not arise, especially during periods of financial and economic crisis such as that which we are enduring at present.

Whatever about his past record - Members on the opposite side of the House may differ with us in this regard - John Bruton-----