Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is his entire fault that I am not even an elected but a nominated Senator. Although the referendum to maintain the Seanad I take as an endorsement of that.

What has the delegation seen in other countries regarding easier and more transparent voter registration and how it can link up with increased participation? We saw recently a surge in late registration to vote during the marriage referendum. We can do digital banking and, God forbid, even pay for water charges online. Recently, I was a witness at the local and federal elections in the state of North Carolina where one could register up to the morning of the elections. I was involved in a ridiculous scenario of trying to convince the former environment Minister, Phil Hogan, on decreasing the timeline for applying for and casting a postal vote. The philosophy in this country is to make it more difficult for us to vote. Are there examples where easier voter registration has worked? Professor Michael Marsh stated the UK is the only country in which the electoral commission does not manage the electoral register.

What is the delegation’s view on lowering the age of voting?