Former Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has questioned recommendations in a draft report on electoral reform saying they would be a “nightmare” to enforce.

Proposals for the development of standards for political debate during elections include sanctions for parties and candidates involved in “discriminatory actions or rhetoric”.

In a Twitter post, Fine Gael TD Mr Flanagan said the recommendations would be “a recipe for chaos and disarray during already heated campaigns”.

He said implementing them would be “challenging enough” and enforcement would be “a nightmare”.

Mr Flanagan also suggested it could lead to election campaigns being conducted through the courts which he said would be a “grim prospect”.