Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I will be very brief and I will not oppose the Bill. I put this on the record because I listened to my good colleague, Senator Mullen, speaking about the Bill. I will not be contentious with the Leader but it is not a matter for the leaders and whips in their meeting to implement the Order of Business, as this House discusses the Order of Business. We have had a continuing argument for the past week or two on the Order of Business. It is adopted in this House by Members every day. I do not want to have to keep repeating that argument. What people might say or do in the ante-room is another day's work but they do not have the power to agree the Order of Business for this House. As long as I am in the House, I will continue to argue that the Order of Business is for us to decide. If it means making adjustments to that order on a daily basis to reaffirm that power, I will continue to do it.

I have one question to ask of the Minister of State about the Bill. Are Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin and the city of Dublin counties or local electoral administrative areas? There is a subtle difference between the terms and perhaps the Minister of State has had legal advice on it. I am interested in hearing that position. There would be ramifications depending on the Minister of State's response, as he knows the constitutional provisions relating to the nomination of candidates for the presidency, as it clearly mentions counties. I am not asking a question where I know the answer. What is the legal definition of South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Fingal? Are they counties clearly set down in law? It is my only query and I will not be opposing the Bill. I thank the Minister of State again for coming the House.