Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their submissions, which were particularly detailed and helpful. I look at the three entities represented today and it appears that two are disenfranchised. We are trying to advance their cause. From women's point of view, meanwhile, we are trying to ensure we have greater female representation.

The submission from the Irish Traveller Movement has that really tangible feeling of otherness and this was captured extremely well in the document. Senator Eileen Flynn is fantastic for also articulating what is that experience of otherness, and that it is incumbent on all of us to ensure we are inclusive in our society and must hear the voices that everybody must hear. When Senator Flynn speaks, I would say the entirety of the Seanad stops and listens to her. If we all had that experience, it would be great. I am sure Senator Boyhan supports the view that she represents incredibly well.

We must empower people like Senator Flynn and give her greater visibility in getting people on board. She is the Chair of the joint Oireachtas committee dealing with Traveller matters and it has dealt with housing and accommodation and the employment and labour market. I welcome more of such meetings where we can hear further about those matters through the fantastic voice of Senator Flynn.

The witnesses have made fantastic points and the question of a citizens' assembly seems obvious. It is shameful that the matter has not been considered. Perhaps it has but I still want to highlight it today. I am talking to the witnesses about their submission but it is great.

With regard to the National Women's Council of Ireland, I note the point in particular about political discourse, discriminatory rhetoric and hate speech. There was recent legislation brought forward by the former Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee. Is it proposed that the Electoral Commission would have a right to issue take-down notices to social media? As a woman in politics, I know we receive messages privately and publicly that refer to us with the "C" word or in a number of other ways that it is astonishing to think people consider okay. When I report such matters, I am generally told it does not breach community standards. There should not be anonymous accounts on the likes of Twitter because it enables people to get away with murder in what they say.

What is the proposal of the witnesses in this regard? Do they want the Electoral Commission to have the power to injunct if it sees particular trends? Should there be a threshold of tolerance, as that is generally what people in public life are told?

The Youth Council of Ireland has a broad church of membership. Are there particular impediments for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender youth and ensuring their participation in the process? What about new communities? What more could be done to further their participation. I very much support this idea of preregistration and loved those comments.