John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Incumbency clearly gives people an advantage. There have been many cases on this. Each Deputy is an incumbent. They have the facilities, including envelopes, secretaries and so on. That gives a certain advantage to them as candidates.

We are trying to set certain limits and adopt a common sense approach. It is not political correctness gone mad, but is simply looking for an even playing pitch. I am glad to say that the Labour Party agrees with the principles we are enunciating. The party asked me to bring forward this Bill.

Deputy Shatter asked me whether I got legal advice. Of course I did but it is a little bit over the top to suggest that we are in breach of international treaties.

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