Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister back to the House to debate this relatively technical Bill. While it is not lengthy, it covers some important areas. As the Minister has said, there are several provisions to implement the Constituency Commission's recommendations on changes and to give effect to European Council decisions on the election of members of parliaments. However, there are also other provisions regarding new categories of officeholders who will not be eligible to be Members of the European Parliament. Senator Kitt has gone through them. It increases the list of people considered not eligible from seven to 11. It does not really have any effect at the moment, but it could do so in future and it is important that those areas be regulated.

Senators have spoken about the ending of the dual mandate, which I welcome. It is being implemented well in the sense that it will take effect from the next general election. As was pointed out, under the system we operate in this country, some Governments can have a small majority and, in some cases, there can be a minority Government. If an election takes place and a Member must give up his or her seat, it can have a destabilising effect on Government. This avoids that possibility in the future. The number of dual mandate holders has dropped dramatically. In 1979, 13 of the 15 Members were dual mandate holders and it is now down to two. There were none in the previous Government. This legislation will solidify that position. It has been decided that the derogation negotiated by the Government will not be utilised until after the next election. The reasons for that are clear and Senator Kitt referred to them.

On the timing of the results following an election, it is essential that when we become part of a 25 member Community on 1 May, a condition is put on results coming out that the last member state to vote should have the same coverage at the first member state to vote. Counting is to commence between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, 13 June, following the election on 11 June. Depending on the number of votes cast, the first count should be available by approximately 9 p.m. While it may not be comfortable for some of the candidates involved, given that some of the other member states will only finish voting at that stage, it is a good idea.

The renaming of the constituencies is a small matter. The constituencies are Dublin, East, South and North-West. They are much clearer and more defined. The fact that the position of Clare has been clarified is in everybody's interest. Depending on the census which will take place in 2006, the naming of constituencies and the boundaries may have to be revisited, depending on the results of that census and the population changes. Dublin has not really changed as a result of the constituency commission's report but it may have to change in the future. As we know, urban areas are spreading further outside the county boundaries. With people commuting and smaller towns becoming overpopulated in some cases, the changes will have to be looked at again in the future.

We had a good discussion on electronic voting yesterday. It is essential we are not seen to be led by other countries, particularly in regard to the European Parliament elections. We gave all the reasons electronic voting will be good for Ireland and for us in the wider European Community. In terms of the timing of elections, the count and the timing of the announcement of results, it will extremely beneficial to us in June. Having attended meetings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government on electronic voting, the majority of questions raised were answered. This morning the Leader said the question of the legalities is being discussed with the Attorney General and it will be clarified. The majority of the queries raised have been answered. As was pointed out in the debate yesterday, the system will be subject to review as it is rolled out. Since that undertaking has been given, we can be comfortable that the security measures taken and the technology used will be adequate as it has been tested and tried in other places. It can only benefit our electoral system.

I welcome the Bill and wish the Minister of State well with it. I am sure there will not be many amendments on the other Stages.