Donegal SW election for 2011

simonj

The Taoiseach has said the by-election in the Donegal South West constituency will be held in 2011, but there is no specific date at this time :rolleyes:

Brian Cowen said there were no criteria within the current legislation to hold the by-election within a specific time frame

The seat has been vacant for more than a year, since Pat the Cope Gallagher was elected to the European Parliament :mad:

Speaking to Ocean FM, Brian Cowen said the by-election would happen in due course :pac:

maynooth_rules

So basically he is saying that he is holding off on giving the correct level of democracy to the people of Donegal SW until he feels good and ready.

Sulmac

simonj wrote: »

Brian Cowen said there were no criteria within the current legislation to hold the by-election within a specific time frame

I'm sure he's drafting up legislation to deal with this issue personally. :rolleyes:

We'll probably have a general election before any by-elections are held.

OhNoYouDidn't

simonj wrote: »

Brian Cowen said there were no criteria within the current legislation to hold the by-election within a specific time frame

The technical argument is that the people of Donegal SW are represented with their other 3 or 4 TD's and as such democracy is still being served. There is a sliver of truth in that, but the reality is that if that logic is extrapolated, why have by elections at all in a PRSTV system....

Its a SF gain if it goes ahead, which is why it isn't, and unless Doherty's legal challenge turns something up, there is no legal* obligation on the Govt to hold this.

* moral and democratic ones come second.

imme

I'm sure Cowen is quaking in his boots. lol

There are 2 other elected TD's to represent the constituency in the meantime, including An Tanaiste, who is from the same party as the former TD Pat The Cope. Is there a democratic deficit. :rolleyes: