FRIDAY, MARCH 25th is emerging as a likely date for the forthcoming general election.
Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley said in a radio interview yesterday that the Finance Bill to enact the terms of the Budget would, in all likelihood, be published on January 20th. This legislation normally takes six weeks to process, which suggests a general election could not be declared until late February or even early March, although there will be pressure to move more quickly than normal.
Asked on the RTÉ Radio 1 programme Morning Irelandwhen the election would be called, Mr Gormley said: "That's a matter, of course, for the Taoiseach."
Asked if March 25th would be a reasonable date, he replied: “I’m sure it is.” He added: “Once the Finance Bill is out of the way, then we’re in a position to have the general election.”
He pointed out that the Climate Change Response Bill 2010, the legislation for the Dublin Mayoralty and the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill still had to be enacted. He played down the possibility of a Bill for a referendum to abolish the Seanad.
In addition to the Bills sponsored by the Green Party, a number of items of legislation from the Department of Justice are either before the Oireachtas already or are expected to arrive in either the Dáil or Seanad early in the new term, which starts on January 12th.
The Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010 is awaiting committee stage in the Dáil. This piece of legislation is aimed at clarifying the rights and responsibilities of householders who come under attack from intruders.
The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010 is at report stage. Its provisions include the conditions and locations in which begging will be permitted.
The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 is awaiting completion of second stage. It aims to protect victims of trafficking and also tackles issues related to the sale of alcohol, the civil liability of “Good Samaritans” and voluntary organisations who come to the aid of injured persons, and reducing the period after which a person can be discharged from bankruptcy.
A general election must be held between 18 and 25 days, excluding Sundays and public holidays, after the clerk of Dáil Éireann moves the writ. If the writ was moved on the last Thursday in February, for example, a general election would take place between March 18th and 26th, probably closer to the latter date than the former, especially if the Taoiseach was making his annual visit to the White House for St Patrick’s Day.
Late last year, the Green Party urged the holding of the election in late January.
