Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue of people not running for election is massive and we will all highlight the various reasons that is happening. I would like to make some suggestions in that regard. First, there should be a very strict limit on the spend in local authority elections. Second, the councils should make bylaws to limit the number of posters candidates can put up. Third, and this would be vital, is that to give profile to new candidates, the local media, both print and radio, should be given funding to cover the elections thoroughly on the basis of equal exposure for all candidates and to allow for fair play. I will come to the rest of my questions during the question-and-answer session because I do not want to bore the House.