Government says delay in holding Donegal SW by-election cannot be repeated

Following on from the year long delay in holding a by-election in Donegal South West last year, the government has confirmed today it will introduce a six-month rule for Dáil by-elections.
Sinn Fein took legal action against the government last year which eventually led to the by-election being held – Pearse Doherty went on to win the by-election.
Today Environment Minister Phil Hogan said ‘The farcical situation where political parties are forced to take High Court challenges to ensure by-elections are held should never be repeated’.