Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

As far as I am concerned, I am quite focused on what I am doing and I have never allowed the general election to distract me. I have always said I am not looking for a job, that I have a job and I will let the people of Dublin South-West judge me. I am quite happy about that. Whenever the election day will be, bring it on. I have great confidence the Taoiseach will deal with the matter as he would wish.

I will deal with the Bill before the House in due course but I wish to make an appeal about citizenship. Like many colleagues I have always been brave enough to make the point, certainly in my community in Tallaght, that it is even more important that we encourage people to vote because otherwise none of us will get their votes. We are all competing for votes and I am comfortable with that. I am pleased a number of organisations in my constituency have taken a particularly proactive view in that regard. I got an invitation during the week from the Tallaght Partnership to attend a "meet the candidates night". I welcome the progress made by An Cosán in Jobstown in Tallaght west in recent years. This group has also highlighted the importance of citizenship.

It is important to cross the party lines. In Dublin South-West, Deputies Crowe, Lenihan, Rabbitte and Senator Brian Hayes and I have encouraged that attitude. I am not being more brave than I have to be; if people do not come out to vote, they will not vote for us anyway. This is something we should encourage. Whatever else emerges from tonight's debate, I hope we will hear a positive message about voter participation. Regardless of the party political issues and points that will be made in the next hour and a half, we must send a positive message to encourage people to vote. I hope people will do that.

I recall all those years ago when I was approaching the first occasion on which I voted — I hope this does not sound too sad but I was quite excited about it. If those present do not tell anybody, I will tell them that the first time I voted, I did not vote for the party I now represent, only because I voted for a neighbour. I hope all my neighbours in Tallaght will vote for me too.

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