Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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100. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding adjustments to Part 4 and Part 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, based on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23627/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Following the enactment of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, my Department, over the course of 2023, engaged extensively on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising as that proposal progressed through the inter-institutional negotiations.

In this context, Regulation (EU) 2024/900 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising was adopted earlier this year by the European institutions and will apply throughout the European Union on and from 10 October 2025.

Given the significant overlap that exists between Part 4 and Regulation (EU) 2024/900, it will now be necessary for Part 4 to be brought into alignment and harmonised with the requirements of the aforesaid Regulation.

Furthermore, in light of these developments, my Department is also examining Part 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 and the amendments that may be needed to commence its provisions as soon as practicable in 2024. In this regard, my Department is engaging with An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the technology sector and other stakeholders in relation to the implementation of Part 5 of the Act and I will bring forward proposed amendments to Part 5 as soon as possible.