Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I add my voice to the others which have called for a debate on the consequences of the High Court decision and the issue of the right to vote and the representation of people. I take issue with what Senator Boyle said because he appeared to support the principle confirmed by Mr. Justice Kearns in the High Court and yet he justified the State's decision to appeal to the Supreme Court on the basis that it was in accordance with the precedence. It is not. There are plenty of precedents where the State decided not to appeal a decision it has lost in the High Court to the Supreme Court.

The problem for us on a broader political level is that the continued uncertainty, even over the date of the by-election in Donegal South-West, because the Government has not given us the date, is contributing to the failure. I would be grateful if the Leader could clarify the date. The Government said it would be held before the end of November.