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

We are not changing the rules for a temporary vacancy. It is still the exact same way a casual vacancy is filled in a local authority now. The only thing that we have added, which is an important clause for women, is section 2(b)(3)(b)(ii) which reads: "The local authority shall have regard to the preferred choice (if any) of the member causing the temporary absence as to the person who should be the temporary substitute."