05/11/2010

Donegal South West To Go To The Polls

A by-election is to be held on the 25th November for the Donegal South West constituency.

The necessary 'writ was moved' in the Dáil by the Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan.

This came after the High Court ruled earlier this week that the Government was wrong to delay the election in a case taken by Sinn Fein.

Now, the Cabinet, having considered the court's ruling, decided to hold the election now, but it also decided to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court as well.

Members of the opposition also contributed to the session related to the Donegal South West by-election and sought also to hold the Dublin South, Donegal North East and Waterford by-elections, but these have been defeated.

Amid noisy exchanges, Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin also criticised the Government's intention to appeal yesterday's High Court ruling on the Donegal South West by-election to the Supreme Court.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the action would cost the taxpayer more and the Government was trying to prolong their stay in power by delaying the three other contests.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said it was a political ruse and that the Government had been forced to hold the by-election.

However, the Taoiseach said the Government had a constitutional right to appeal the ruling because the judgment had implications for the separation of powers.

He said there was a need for certainty on the legal position regarding future by-elections.

(BMcC/GK)

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