I move:
That the Clerk of the Seanad do send to the Minister for Local Government notice of a vacancy in the membership of Seanad Eireann occasioned by the resignation of Mr. James Joseph Parkinson, a member elected to the Nominating Bodies Sub-Panel of the Cultural and Educational Panel at the Election for Seanad Eireann, August, 1944.
I move this motion for the filling of the vacancy created by the resignation of Senator Parkinson. I do so with regret because Senator Parkinson found himself unable to continue as a member. He was a member for a very long period indeed, almost from the beginning. He was very highly skilled in certain aspects of our business and was very highly respected in the Seanad.
With regard to the filling of the vacancy, I had put down the motion before the announcement had been made that a general election would take place—I think the phrase was early in the new year. I think, however, that the motion might be proceeded with because the Minister for Local Government, under the Seanad Electoral Act, has a period of six months in which to take action. The Minister has more opportunities than I have for knowing the precise date of the general election, so that I think we can pass the motion and leave it to the Minister on the basis that he has knowledge—not so much on the basis that we trust him.
