Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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I have seen political parties not having the name of the printer on posters, who erected them or whose name it is. There is nothing at all on them.

I thank the witnesses for their attendance and for the work they do in promoting and protecting our democracy, because it is critically important and comes under threat from time to time.

Before we finish, I want to make a point about security at count centres in particular. We have seen an increase in activity among people with certain political views and beliefs who have no respect for authority or for anybody else, and I am very concerned that a count centre is a magnet for politicians from the various constituencies. It is an issue not just for the public and the candidates but for the staff who work there as well. I assume returning officers have some sort of high-level meetings. It is something I would urge them to take account of for the next election. I have seen a deterioration in the behaviour at count centres.