Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 43:

In page 23, line 19, to delete “60” and substitute “8”.

Amendments Nos. 43, 47 and 50 all relate to the fact we are making the bar for the person standing for election to the Seanad higher. As I say, the electoral process is not just those who vote, it is those who stand. The bar has been raised to a different degree so instead, I suggest a reversal to the current status. It should not be harder for someone to run for the Seanad elections than it is currently and under this Bill it will be. As I say, rather than 60 I suggest we use the current figure of eight nominators and rather than 60 we have ten statutory declarations. In terms of the deposit, currently you need ten nominators or eight nominators, this Bill proposes you need 60 nominators and the deposit required will be raised from €500 to a figure of €1,800, which is a deposit that may be prohibitive for many persons. I do not believe we should make it harder for persons to participate as candidates in the Seanad election.