Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I will keep my commentary simple and straightforward. I missed the other contributions as I was at a committee. I wish the best of luck to both candidates on Friday. More importantly, I wish them a good recovery next week when the adrenaline and cortisol levels start to subside. I hope they avoid any illness.

It is fair to say that a percentage of the population is disenfranchised facing into this election. What that signposts us to do is take on board the recommendations in the 1998 Oireachtas review. It is common knowledge that the Constitution of 1937 is not contemporaneous. We have had referendums to try to bring the contemporaneous element to it. We must have a process that starts at the level of the 31 local authorities and interfaces with the public. We must look to a possible filtration process of candidates through the councils. Perhaps it will be found that a hybrid retaining elements of the current structure of votes from 20 Oireachtas Members or four local authorities is the solution. Whatever the outcome might be, discussions must commence imminently to review the process and plan ahead for the future. We have a considerable amount of time to do that. I do not know whether a new joint Oireachtas committee needs to be formed or if this is something that can come under the remit of the Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen. There are others more knowledgeable than I on this matter and I hope a solution can be found.

In the meantime, nothing will change the prospects of this Friday's election. As I said at the outset, I wish both candidates well.

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