POLL WOULD CAST DOUBT OVER KEY MATTERS

A SNAP general election, potentially before Christmas, raises serious questions about key matters not yet dealt with by our law-makers:

The Finance Bill ,giving effect to the tax measures in Budget 2018, has cleared the Dáil but has yet to be approved by the Seanad.

The Social Welfare Bill putting through €5-per-week increases to many welfare payments has not passed either house of parliament. Politicians will face a daunting task explaining that to potential voters.

Gardaí, teachers, nurses and

other public servants might not get pay cuts restored

to them under Fempi (Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest). Another potential delight for politicians hitting the canvass trail.

A promised referendum on

abortion next summer is also in serious doubt. TDs and senators on a special committee have been hearing expert witnesses on the issue. If the Dáil falls, so does this committee.

Even politicians’ own

election strategies could be disrupted. Cabinet is tomorrow set to accept an independent report increasing the number of TDs from 158 to 160 and making other important constituency changes. The changes expected to be cleared by TDs and senators next month included an extra Dáil seat in Dublin Central, Kildare South, and Cavan-Monaghan. The current two three-seaters, Laois and Offaly, were to be merged into one five-seater.

The Public Health Alcohol

Bill, which aims to ban belowcost selling and bring in other controls, and a controversial move by Transport Minister Shane Ross to tighten drinkdrive penalties, would also fall.