Madam, – I was alarmed to read that Government Senator Dan Boyle recently suggested “the Donegal South West byelection should be held in the autumn along with the mayoral election, while the Dublin South and Waterford byelections could be held at a later date” (Home News, July 10th). What possible rationale could exist for such an awkward arrangement? No practical reason exists for the byelections to be held on separate dates.
One of the more dubious explanations proffered for the unwarranted delay in the holding of the pending byelections was the claim by the Government Chief Whip, John Curran TD, that it would be inappropriate for the Dublin South byelection to go ahead now because the Dáil “is in the middle of an extremely busy legislative programme” (Home News, June 24th). Utilising Mr Curran’s logic, it is obvious that the byelections should be held together in order to minimise disruption to the Dáil’s plenary schedule.
Responding to pressure from the Opposition in the Dáil on February 3rd, 2009 for the then pending Dublin South byelection to be called, the Government Chief Whip at that time, Pat Carey TD, commented that “taking into account the upcoming local and European Parliament elections scheduled to take place this June, I would like to confirm that the Government intends to run the byelection for Dublin South on the same day. We will move the writ accordingly for that purpose. On a day such as this, when stark economic decisions have had to be taken, Deputies from all sides will understand the sense in minimising the cost to the Exchequer in running elections. The Government believes this is the prudent approach. We do this while fully accepting the right of the people of Dublin South to full and proper representation. ”
Accordingly, the suggestion that the Donegal South-West byelection could be held first separately is considerably disrespectful to the people of Dublin South and Waterford regarding their right to due representation in the Dáil.The citizens of all three constituencies continue to be unfairly disenfranchised while the Government refuses to sanction the announcement of dates for these byelections. – Yours, etc,