Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis na hAirí freisin. I have a question for each of them and I will put them in order. I welcome the opportunity to discuss in detail the electoral reform Bill with the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. It is becoming increasingly obvious within the committee that this is a very large area and that the area of online political advertising is one we are starting to get a much broader understanding of, particularly around the issue of microtargeting. My question is a blunt one. The Bill facilitates online political advertising during electoral periods. Would the Minister of State consider amending the Bill at this stage to prohibit it during election periods, and that, after the committee has carried out its work, he would bring forward a more comprehensive regulation of online political advertising later in the year or early next year?

My second question is for the Minister of State, Deputy Burke. I welcome the Cabinet decision on Limerick and I look forward to seeing more of the details as to the powers, especially for the mayor. Does the Minister of State have an update as to what is to happen in Dublin, particularly around the convention?

My third question is for the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. We are on a very strong legislative base now for affordable housing. I am in danger of giving his speech if I repeat the details, but there has been the largest single devaluation of the cost of land in the history the State, for the first time there has been an affordable rental Bill, and we are back to councils building affordable housing. There is a lot of good news there. My worry is we do not have the ambition within the local authority sector to deliver on what the legislative base puts forward. What measures is the Minister taking in that regard?

These are three fairly direct questions and my apologies for the bluntness.