Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following:

"(2B) The provisions of subsection (2A) shall not apply where an election is due either—

(a) within nine months of Local and European elections, or

(b) within nine months of the date upon which Dáil Éireann must be dissolved, pursuant to the provisions of section 33 of the Electoral Act 1992,

provided that, in respect of paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Chairman of the Dáil (or, where he or she is unable through illness, absence or other cause to fulfil his or her duties or where there is a vacancy in the Office of Chairman, the Deputy of the Dáil) shall, as soon as practicable, direct the Clerk of the Dáil to issue a writ to the Returning Officer for the constituency in which the vacancy occurred directing the Returning Officer to cause an election to be held on the same day as the Local and European elections to fill the said vacancy.".".

We welcome the provision in the Bill to the effect that a by-election must be held within a six-month period after a vacancy arises. In amendment No. 2 we are seeking that the Minister of State consider making provision for a situation where if local or European elections or a general election were to occur within a nine-month period, then a by-election should not proceed until they have been held. This would lead to a great deal of money being saved.