Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Deputy Dowds, I agree with what Deputy Ó Cuív said. He is one of the people who knows the situation better than most because he lives in one of these communities. I did not time the speech that he gave on his constituency. I say this as a joke. I note that he has the largest number of voters and in terms of all of the islands, the one he mentioned seems to have the largest population. Voting is a serious issue. I will ask - or perhaps the Minister of State might ask - the returning officers for their views of what Deputy Ó Cuív has said before we reach Report and Final Stages. If they agree with him, then I do not think there is any reason not to implement his proposal, particularly if alternative sailings are provided.