Government undecided on byelection writs

NO DECISION has been made by the Government about when it will move the writ for the Dublin South byelection, according to Tánaiste Mary Coughlan.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the writs for the Dublin South and Dublin Central byelections needed to be moved before the second week in May if the elections were to go ahead on June 5th, the same day as the local and European elections.

Mr Gilmore has repeatedly asked in the Dáil when the writs would be moved for the byelections following the deaths of long-serving minister and TD Séamus Brennan and of Independent TD Tony Gregory.

He raised the issue again twice this week and said Government Chief Whip Pat Carey had said that the Government intended to run the byelection for Dublin South on the same day as the local and European Parliament elections, in response to a Labour Party motion.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said on Wednesday a formal decision had yet to be made but “the Chief Whip was putting forward the view as best he could for the information of the House”.

Mr Gilmore said there was no ambiguity in Mr Carey’s statement when he confirmed the election would be on June 5th. Mr Cowen said the Government would consider the matter.

When Mr Gilmore raised the issue again yesterday, he called on the Tánaiste to “clearly indicate to the House the Government’s intention” and added that it was “open to Opposition parties to move the writs in circumstances where the Government fails to do so”.

Ms Coughlan said “the Government has not decided when it will move the writ. It is a matter for members of the Opposition to make up their own minds.”