Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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792. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the limits on holding elected office; if there are grounds for concerns that those with a history of mental health difficulties may be discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23650/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Requirements in relation to the holding of elected office are set out in the Constitution and in electoral and local government law. Requirements relating to the office of the President are set out in the Constitution; requirements relating to membership of the Dáil are set out in Article 16 of the Constitution and in Part IX of the Electoral Act 1992; requirements relating to membership of the Seanad are set out in Article 18.2 of the Constitution; requirements relating to membership of the European Parliament are set out in section 11 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997; requirements relating to local authority membership are set out in the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999. While the Electoral Acts provide that a person of unsound mind is not eligible for election as a member, or for membership of the Dáil, the Seanad, or the European Parliament, I have no information to suggest that those with a history of mental health difficulties have been discriminated against in holding elected office.