Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Deputy has a point in that there was an item in the published legislative programme dealing with an electoral commission Bill, which was to give immediate effect to something that will take a longer period of time. It was the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill. Obviously, that is being given priority, and the party opposite has published its own proposals in this regard. The constitutional convention and the electoral commission will allow citizens to give their input on a series of matters such as the reduction in the voting age, whether people who live abroad should be entitled to vote in presidential elections, the issue of greater involvement and participation by women in politics as candidates and elected members, and with regard to the electoral system. It is important to involve citizens in giving their views before these matters are finalised.

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