Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note the Leader's proposal on the Order of Business for the mayor of Limerick Bill this evening and I have no difficulty with it.

The issue I want to bring up is that of the local elections. I received correspondence in the post from the Department on Friday confirming that the Minister was not in a position to confirm the date of the local elections. The range could be possibly 7, 8 or 9 June. That has not been decided. I ask the Leader to use her good offices to engage with the Minister to ascertain the date. The Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, will meet in Arklow on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Many of its members are anxious, as the Leader will appreciate are many in her party and in other parties across this House, or, for that matter, people who are not a member of any party or possibly will be a member of a new party. That is how the political landscape is so rapidly changing. We owe it to the people who are considering contesting these local elections sometime during the summer at least to have a date. I do not think it is too much to ask of the Minister.I am giving a commitment to the House, as I will be giving a commitment to my colleagues when I meet them on Wednesday or Thursday in Arklow, to pursue the issue on a daily basis until the Minister comes into this House or informs the people of the date of the election in some way. I hope the Leader will be agreeable to pursuing the matter with the Minister. It is only right and fair. People are printing literature. They have limited resources and money, and want to know the date of the election so they can pencil it into their diaries. It is a simple request. I know we are all committed to local government and want to give people an equal start. The ask, therefore, is simple: the Minister to confirm his intention and the day on which he will seek, as is his prerogative, to hold local government elections.