Vol. 6 No. 7
I would like to go back for one moment to mention that I inadvertently seemed to trespass on the functions of the House when I suggested that we should have the election to fill the casual vacancy on this day fortnight. That is a suggestion thrown out for the adoption of the Seanad, because the duty of fixing the date does not rest with me but with the Seanad itself. If it is the wish of the House that we should have the election on this day fortnight members will please say so.
Agreed to.
Unless this matter has been settled I would like to say a word not particularly in reference to this election, but generally in reference to all elections. It will be very convenient for members of the Seanad, if some day on which the Seanad meets intervened between the date on which the date of the election is fixed and the date on which the election is held, in order that Senators may have an opportunity of consulting as to the line of action they should take. If there is no meeting intervening, Senators will not have an opportunity of coming to an understanding on the matter. I am not referring to this particular case, but as a general rule I think Senators should have an opportunity of consulting before a vacancy is filled.
The matter is in the hands of the House. I may say from my past experience it is not my opinion that you cannot get Senators for a meeting unless there is actually a meeting of the Seanad. If there is any desire that any other day should be fixed to fill the vacancy, of course the matter is one entirely for decision by the Seanad, but I understood that it was generally felt that the election should take place this day fortnight.
