Mr. Barry Ryan:

Deputy O'Callaghan asked about the definition of "political purposes". The general scheme needs a definition of "political purposes", specifically in the Parts that deal with the regulation of online political advertising. That definition is needed to identify what the legislation is referring to.

The definition used is the same definition set out in the 1997 legislation around political purposes. The Deputy is right to point out civil society groups have raised concerns with that definition. The Minister of State has met representatives of these groups.

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to look at the 1997 legislation around political funding. That is where that definition is found. The Minister of State has indicated previously he envisages the commission having a role in considering the 1997 legislation in its entirety and comprehensively. It will make recommendations and the matter will be taken forward on that basis. While the definition of political purposes is the same in the general scheme as it is in the 1997 legislation, the Minister of State has proposed that the commission will have a role in looking at that.

With regard to the register, the Chair raised the issue of people moving around and how difficult registration is. The proposals in the general scheme envisage moving to a rolling registration system. It is no longer an annual registration process. That will facilitate people when they move, in that they can update and change their details immediately and on an ongoing basis. I hope that will assist in creating a more accurate and comprehensive register. Ms Woods may wish to add to that.