Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe there is any danger of a big bang approach, considering the fact that this debate is happening at this stage in the electoral cycle and that the Minister has stated that getting the commission up and running is the main issue. I would completely echo the points that have been made. However, this does not mean that the process must continue as it is indefinitely. We must decide on what process will be followed, what will be included and within what timeframe. We must have certainty on this and make it clear. While inevitably there is a concentration on the electoral register, the establishment of an independent electoral commission is a much bigger enterprise, but we can learn lessons from good examples in other countries similar in size to Ireland.

I echo what has been said in regard to returning officers. I have never doubted the results they have produced in an election. I have contested many elections and have always had confidence in the process, although it may take longer to get the final result and often there is not enough time for celebration on the day. There are good elements to our system and we should not lose them. Therefore, it is important to be thoughtful in regard to how we proceed.

I would like to know what will be the ultimate goal of the electoral commission and what will be included. I believe the issue of political funding should be part of the commission's remit and I see that as important in terms of building confidence. Professor Marsh said last week that the establishment of a referendum commission each time we are to hold a referendum is very wasteful of resources. The message he took from each of the reports was that they all felt they should have had more time. Therefore, the establishment of a permanent commission would be beneficial and probably less wasteful. It is important we consider what lessons we can learn from that.

I was interested in the point made regarding the potential conflict in the case of the Comptroller and Auditor General as the Accounting Officer. I would like to hear more on that matter because we must ensure that when we set something up it has been properly thought out. We often understate the turnout at elections and referendums due to the duplication on the register. Sometimes we count the full register, while many of those on the register can only vote in local elections. However, duplication is the main issue. I would like to see a greater use of postal voting whereby, for example, people on holidays who do not want to be disenfranchised can vote. There are many issues we could raise regarding how things could be done differently.

The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission is not a perfect entity and not all groups are represented on it.

There are whole sections of the Oireachtas that are not part of it. In the Dáil neither Sinn Féin nor the Technical Group, for example, has any representation on it. There must be a wider aspect but I take the point about the commission not being exclusively under the remit of the Government. The remit would have to be broadened to make sure that it is inclusive.

In regard to SIPO, a lot of what has happened in SIPO has been positive but I would like to see it have greater teeth in terms of sanctions. I could point to several instances where there has been flagrant abuse of the limits. It is up to people to make complaints after the event but people do not complain. It is not the nature of things and when the battle is over then it is over. That reality will not come as a surprise to most of us who have contested an election. In order to have confidence in the system then one must have meaningful sanctions that ensure the process is as fair as possible.

I am interested in hearing about the timetable. People have said they do not want a big bang. What is a realistic timeline for putting in place a comprehensive system? There will always be an element of adding things. Would a realistic timeline be five years? Do we need more time? What elements would the witnesses like to see added and in what order?