Mr. Barry Ryan:

The Minister of State mentioned that the general scheme envisages the commission having a research and advisory function. I do not think that precludes it from engaging with academics and others to assist it with that research function. The commission will have a budget specifically for that.

The Deputy asked about the online advertising piece in the general scheme. The provisions we have included in the general scheme are grounded in the outcome of the work of the interdepartmental group on electoral processes and disinformation. That group looked at our election processes and held an open policy forum and a public consultation on the issue. A balance needs to be struck between the regulation to be introduced in this area and the freedom of expression arguments that are often put forward. The group recommended the introduction of measures which would, in many ways, replicate what we have in the offline space in terms of transparency. Any advertisements that are placed online should have that transparency during electoral periods. That was the thinking behind the measures included in the general scheme.

The Deputy asked if consideration was given to expanding the postal voting regime. The programme for Government contains a commitment to review this and specifically to ask the electoral commission to consider the issue of postal voting with a view to expanding its use. As the Deputy knows, postal voting is fairly restricted in Ireland under our electoral codes. While it is not in this general scheme, it would be the intention that once the commission is established, it could research the matter and make recommendations on expanding the use of postal votes.