Angry scenes in Dáil as Opposition criticise by-election court appeal

The Government has today been accused of only appealing yesterday's High Court decision on by-elections to prevent further legal challenges on other vacant seats.

During rowdy scenes in the Dáil which saw the sitting suspended for 10 minutes, Fine Gael and Labour said it is also a waste of taxpayers' money.

However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Opposition leaders Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore that there was a constitutional obligation to launch the appeal.

“It is a manifestly political ruse to deprive the Dáil from making a decision to hold the other three by-elections,” said Deputy Gilmore.

The Taoiseach responded: “The Government has that entitlement, has that constitutional obligation, and like other litigants before the courts, is fully entitled to await the determination of the matter by appeal.”