Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 5, line 4, to delete "shall incur" and substitute "may apply to their election expenses".

The amendment has been tabled to remove any ambiguity with regard to the wording of the section, which states that where a political party authenticates the candidature of a candidate at a local election, the party shall incur ten per cent of the amount of the election expenses. We on this side of the House believe the term "shall incur" is a rather strict one to use. Will the Minister of State consider amending the wording to read "the party may apply to their election expenses ten per cent of the election expenses" to which that candidate is entitled? It allows a little flexibility and removes the strictness of the term. The wording seems somewhat strong so perhaps the Minister of State would consider the amendment for this reason.