Labour to move writs for four outstanding by-elections
Issued : Wednesday 3 November, 2010
Statement by Emmet Stagg TD
Chief Whip
“The Labour Party has today tabled motions moving the writs for by-elections in the constituencies of Donegal South West, Donegal North East, Dublin South and Waterford.
“The Judgement given by the High Court today in regard to the vacancy in Donegal South West breaks new ground and it is now clear that inordinate delays in the filling of vacancies in the Dail are no longer acceptable to the courts.
“While the Donegal South West vacancy has been left unfilled for an exceptional period of time, it is also well past the time that the by-elections are held for Dublin South and Waterford.
“It is now almost nine months since George Lee resigned as a member of this House. Following the death of Seamus Brennan in July 2008, the seat was left unfilled for a period of eleven months. The result is that the people of Dublin South have been under-represented for a combined period of close to twenty months over the past two years. It is more than eight months since the resignation of Martin Cullen creating a vacancy in the Waterford Constituency.
“In the light of the High Court judgement there is now no justification for delaying these by-elections. And if these are now to be held, it would make sense to have the Donegal North West contest on the same day.
“It is simply not acceptable for vacancies in the membership of this House to be left unfilled for such a long period of time. It is fundamentally undemocratic that people in some areas of the country are being denied the level of representation to which they are entitled under the law and the constitution.
“The government is now in a position where it is reduced to a majority of three in the Dail at a time when there are four vacancies in the House. A government in that situation has no credibility or no authority.
“The government should face up to the consequences of the High Court decision and allow the outstanding by-elections to be held”.
