Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy O'Malley for raising the issue and I assure her that being an ex-Government backbencher is even more frustrating than being a backbencher. I say that as one who has suffered that ignominious situation, when the people of Wicklow turned the other way once.

I welcome the report of the Democracy Commission. The report, entitled Engaging Citizens, is the culmination of over two years of research and consultation throughout the island of Ireland and contains many worthwhile recommendations on how to mobilise voters, particularly those who feel disenfranchised or who do not participate in the democratic process, and how to ensure equal opportunities for voters and candidates alike to fulfil their democratic duties.

I believe that the cynicism that is heaped upon political life in this country must have something to do with disenchantment. It would be a welcome development if the cynics would occasionally enter their names on the election lists. Perhaps there would be much better people in this House if they had that courage. However, frequently, if not invariably, they do not.

The report merits careful consideration and I will reflect on the views, findings and recommendations contained in it. I am pleased to note that some of the measures in the report are currently under consideration in my Department, which is interesting in itself.

We must secure greater participation by the people in the democratic process and the Department and I have been working steadfastly towards that goal. Coincidentally, the publication of this report takes place a few days before the launch of the Department's annual nationwide public information campaign to promote awareness of the draft register of electors. The objective of this campaign is to encourage voters to check the draft register to ensure that they are registered correctly and also to remind them that they cannot exercise their right to vote unless they are registered. For many years political parties did this work by going door to door. I remember the Labour Party coming to my door shortly after I first moved into Greystones to remind me to put my name on the voting register.

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