Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will support amendments Nos. 50 and 51. I welcome that the Minister has put down these amendments. It is appropriate that there is recognition of the important role that democracy plays and how it operates in this country. We are sometimes too self-deprecating as politicians. We are not simply politicians but elected representatives of the people and the people are entitled to have their democracy protected. I will support amendments Nos. 50 and 51. I will withdraw amendment No. 65 in light of amendments Nos. 50 and 51 but I may bring forward Report Stage amendments relating to amendments Nos. 50 and 51 with the purpose of strengthening them since there are other aspects of democratic and electoral activity which need to be covered and are not covered in the Minister's amendment.