Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Ní thógfaidh mé 30 nóiméad, is dócha, mar beidh sé deacair an méid sin ama a chaitheamh ar Bhille chomh beag leis seo.

This is the legislation the House must enact to clear the way to hold the general election. It is to rectify the flaw in the provision in the existing Electoral Act relating to the nomination of Independent or non-party candidates in a general election. I welcome the fact that it is before the House because, clearly, a general election could not have been called until it was introduced and enacted. Therefore, the Labour Party will not oppose it. We have comments to make on some of its detailed provisions, but we are not opposed to it in principle and will be supporting it on Second Stage. I ask that it be enacted as quickly as possible and a general election called as quickly as possible thereafter.

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