Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Mar is eol don Leas-Chathaoirleach, tá an-mheas agam do na Seanadóirí O’Reilly, Martin agus Garvey a chur an Bille seo roimh an Teach. Aontaím go hiomlán leis an intinn atá taobh thiar den Bhille seo ach ní féidir liom aontú leis an mBille féin leis an méid a dhéanann sé i gcoinne na fógraíochta polaitíochta atá an-tábhachtach ar fad.

There is a single really good reason we should not support this Bill. Senator Boyhan popped it out at the end of his speech as if it was an unimportant detail. I think it is a hugely important detail. New candidates in politics who are running for office and putting their names on ballot papers need an opportunity to get their names out there. It would be fundamentally unfair to remove the primary mechanism for doing that, which is postering during election time. It has been said that we should have regulation and restrictions but we already so. In fact, we have an increasing number of restrictions. I agree with all of them, particularly concerning postering close to polling stations and also in respect of other aspects of postering. Those restrictions are important and appropriate. Removing posters or restricting them in a way that this Bill proposes is not appropriate. I am afraid I have concluded that it is unfair to new entrants in elections. That is the single biggest reason this Bill cannot and should not pass.

I disagree with Senator Boyhan's suggestion that political parties and not the brave and courageous Independent candidates have an advantage and not. Apparently party candidates are not brave and courageous and I am sure that is not what he meant.