Mr. John O'Dowd:

If I can pick up on Deputy McLoughlin's point, our 2008 study recommended that the administration of elections should remain at local level, with only supervision by the electoral commission for the reasons mentioned by the Deputy and by Dr. Reidy concerning the flexibility involved. The one shining light in the electoral system seems to be the role of the returning officers. The political parties and others are very pleased with their independence and integrity and the efficiency of their operations. I do not think anybody advocates changing that aspect of the system.