Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. That is good to know. I also thank the Minister for his response. I will withdraw the amendment in the circumstances and reserve the right to come back on Report Stage.

I very much welcomed the research programme. On Second Stage, I stated that I and my party certainly intend to make a submission. We will raise issues on obsolete or anomalous definitions and phrases used. The issue of using up-to-date language is sufficiently important that it might have been the subject of a more specific provision. It does not need to be by way of research and reporting. It could have been dealt with in another way through the legislation. Amendment No. 3 also relates to research and reporting but it is of slightly different import.

I reserve the right on Report Stage to table an amendment on another matter that An Coimisiún Toghcháin should look at. This is the practice of publishing postal addresses on ballot papers. This is an issue that has been debated previously. Many of us have raised concerns about it. I am a member of the task force on safety in political life chaired by Nóirín O'Sullivan. As colleagues are aware, we have met over a number of weeks. This issue is often raised, particularly by prospective candidates who are fearful about having publicity about their home addresses. It has also been raised as an issue in other jurisdictions. For women candidates in particular, there is certainly a perception that it contributes to a lack of safety and security in the home. There may be other particular reasons that people do not want their home addresses published. Clearly people are at a disadvantage if they do not do so in the current system and, therefore, it would be better to have a rule about it. I would like to table an amendment on Report Stage on this.