Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government is deliberating on the detail and the best way to proceed. While it may have been the original intention to incorporate the provision as an amendment to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008, it will not now be incorporated. The matter is subject to continued deliberation. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will introduce further proposals based on these discussions. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 is not the means through which it will be done.

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