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

I do not see any difference between what is in place and what is proposed in amendment No. 64. I know that the Minister has said the same. I have to say his suggestion that the use of the word "is" is a reason not to support the amendment is not a strong one. I will not support the amendment because I do not believe it would add anything to the Bill.

On section 45, as elected representatives, we should be supporting the political process. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire should be allowed to move around Cork South Central and, if he comes to a house where the individuals tell him that they will vote for him, he should be able to record that information. He should not have to ask them whether they would mind if he was to record their names such that they would be recorded as Sinn Féin supporters. It is completely artificial. We need to recognise the reality. I will not support the deletion of section 45.

I will not support the amendment either. It is part of a political process that parties and candidates are entitled to identify the political opinions people hold. Some people want to express their political opinions, while others want to keep theirs private, but at times it is an objective fact as to what is a person's political opinion. We do not need to be so nervous about it that it has to be protected.