I move:
That the Ceann Comhairle direct the Clerk of the Dáil to issue his Writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the membership of the present Dáil consequent on the death of Deputy Hugh Coveney, a Member for the constituency of Cork South-Central.
It is my sad duty to move this motion for a by-election to fill the vacancy created by the tragic death of Hugh Coveney. There have been few sadder occasions on which it has been necessary to move a writ for a by-election than this one, caused by the appalling death of a friend to all of us. All of us knew Hugh was very interested in young people, and in the filling of this vacancy young people should be facilitated in voting. In deference to his memory, the Government could consider having the by-election on a Friday rather than a Thursday, as is now proposed.
