Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

—for all parties and politicians. There is merit in part of what Senator Tuffy stated. I cannot remember exactly what she said on Second Stage, but if I interpreted her correctly she referred to what appeared to be an anomaly, namely, that a sitting councillor can contest an Oireachtas election without having to resign although the reverse cannot occur. If that is the intention of the legislation, I am sympathetic to the case she is making. There appears to be an imbalance. I am not suggesting that the legislation should be altered to weaken the Minister's proposals, but I encourage him to consider an amendment that will provide a greater perceived balance because there is none at the moment.