Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The official position is that all the situations in section 18(7)(a) to (h) deal with circumstances that have occurred and are regarded as final solutions. I would not consider that the section needs to be amended in the way proposed. If a matter has not been resolved and an appeal mechanism is still in operation, the matter is not finalised and the section would not come into effect. It is not drafted as in other similar legislation because it is taken in these cases that the full legal procedure has taken place. I will take the Deputy on good faith and ask my officials to check the Electoral Act 1992. I have no difficulty in accepting the amendment because it does not make any substantial difference to what we are trying to achieve.

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