Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is the language we have inserted. I see that as coming into force if someone has a very significant reason that incapacitates them or if they are very ill. Going around the country, I have met people and seen a number of circumstances where the family of a very sick individual have had to request the local authority to extend their period of absence. Again, requesting a resolution of local authority members is borne out in the public eye. This provision means that if someone was very sick or on chemotherapy, he or she would be allowed remain absent without having to do that resolution and would have a substitute in their place. The community would get its voice as well then.