Results 1,241-1,260 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Nobody is denying that Deputy Ó Broin is a member of the committee and he has certain privileges. The Deputy is within the confines of Leinster House so he has privileges above those of other witnesses in attendance. In that regard, I need to be fair. I cannot allow a witness who has extra privilege to put questions to another witness. I do not think it is fair for one witness to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy Ó Broin and I call Deputy Gould.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I ask Deputies to be clear in regard to whom they are directing their questions because we do not have time to go to each of the six witnesses to give an answer. I ask Deputy Gould to clarity the witness to whom his questions are directed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I apologise and I thank the Deputy for clarifying the matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: We are out of time on that slot. In relation to Deputy Gould’s first question, during the session in two weeks' time, we intend to invite the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Youth Council of Ireland and the National Women’s Council of Ireland to attend to address some of those issues of expanding and increasing voter participation in elections. Pre-registration of 16-...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I am sorry, but I have to move on as we are out of time on that slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Time for this slot has expired.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I ask Ms Sparks to respond to the question in writing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Is Senator Boyhan taking the second slot also?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: That is fine. I would like to pose some questions myself. I have been knocking on doors for 20 years with an electoral register in my hands. Candidates engage with people and they take note of whether a person is likely to support them. They do that for their own benefit. This has moved into a much greater sphere with a much more complex collection of data. It puts the wealthier parties...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I ask Mr. Sheehan to respond and adhere to the time allocation of one minute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. Sheehan and invite Ms McMahon to respond and remind her of the one minute time allocation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Ms McMahon. We are talking about the online sphere here. Fifteen or more years ago, when it was not as prevalent, small parties and Independents still faced the onslaught of armies of well-organised parties erecting posters and distributing leaflets. They had huge armies of canvassers then as well, which was always demoralising. I would like to return to Deputy Ó Broin's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Can they do that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: It would not be possible for those people who have access to forward it in electronic format to other members of the team or canvassing groups.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: So it does to others rather than just the candidates.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: We are tight on time so I would appreciate if members could keep the questions reasonably answerable in the short timeframe we have. I call Deputy Cian O'Callaghan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Ms McMahon appears to have technical difficulties. I will call Deputy Ó Broin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Go ahead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I call Mr. Sheehan to be followed by Ms Sparks and ask them to be as brief as possible.