Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

The Bill puts in place key measures to facilitate Dáil, European and local elections. It also makes significant and worthwhile improvements to the processes of constituency commissions. Some people may be disappointed by the decisions as Deputies Neville, O'Donnell and Ciarán Lynch have remarked. However, there has been broad welcome in the House for the legislation.

I thank Deputy Tuffy for her comments, but if we were to rule out three-seat constituencies, except in exceptional circumstances, it would be very restrictive and unworkable. Let us consider County Donegal, for example, and the difficulties in that county of trying to deal with six seats. The matter of spending limits will be addressed on Committee Stage in the Seanad. I do not have the figures, because the amendment has yet to be approved by the Government. However, it will be addressed next year in the Seanad. I thank Deputies on all sides of the House for their contributions to the debate on the Bill. I also thank the staff of the House for the expeditious manner with which they dealt with the Bill.

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