Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 79:

In page 124, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “Review of Part 4

140. (1) The Commission shall commence a review of the operation of this Part not later than 3 years after the coming into operation of this section.

(2) The Commission shall, not later than 12 months after the commencement of a review under subsection (1), submit a report to the Minister of the findings of a review under subsection (1).

(3) A report under subsection (2) may include such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate to maintain or enhance the operation of this Part.”.

Amendment No. 79 provides for a review of the provisions of Part 4 by the electoral commission not later than three years after the commencement of Part 4. The amendment requires that the review be completed within 12 months and a report submitted to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with such recommendations as the commission may consider appropriate to maintain or enhance the operation of Part 4. Given that the provisions in Part 4 are new and innovative, it is appropriate that we would have an independent review of the operation of the provisions after a reasonable period of time. I ask members to support the amendment.