Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join the Ceann Comhairle in welcoming our guests and I hope they enjoy their stay. It is interesting that they arrived in the middle of a debate on an important electoral Bill.

As I stated, it is important to get more young people involved in the political system. We need to encourage the many new faces and voices in broader society to become more involved in politics and make them more inclusive.

Section 3 substitutes section 15(1A) of the Electoral Act 1992. The new section includes a new provision that a person may apply for entry in the supplement to the register of electors if he or she was not a citizen of Ireland on the qualifying date - 1 September each year - for a register of electors and subsequently became a citizen of Ireland. This is an important measure.

I welcome the legislation. We have much more to do to reform and bring fresh ideas into the political system. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for providing me with an opportunity to speak on the Bill.

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