David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have all heard the toxic discussions and debates with respect to politicians, the hate speech and so on. Councillors are resigning or retiring early, before their time.

The programme for Government states that the Government will "Consider the introduction of an alternate/substitute candidate list to cover parental and caring leave, long-term illness leave, resignation [and so on, and] career breaks". It also states that it will "Develop supports and alternatives for members of the Oireachtas to take parental leave." Curiously, on the same page it also states that the Government will "Examine replacing by-elections with an alternate list system." Who is responsible for bringing these ideas forward so we can debate them? What kind of progress has been made to date?

See this speech in context