I beg to 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 resignation by Deputy Richard Hayes of his seat in the administrative County of Limerick.

I would like the Deputy to explain why such a writ should be called for. Why to-day more than a week ago; why to-day more than two months ago; and why the hurry in this matter or why the delay?

The usual procedure in connection with these writs has been to suit the convenience of the constituencies, and, in my opinion, the convenience of the constituency is best suited by moving for the writ now.

Can the Deputy say whether he has consulted the constituency as to its convenience?

Yes; I have been in the constituency myself.

Surely, if the practice is to suit the convenience of the constituency this writ should be moved for by one of the members for County Limerick and not by a Deputy from County Leitrim.

I beg to second.