Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

Our system of government is based on the concept of representative democracy. The electoral register is the foundation stone of a representative democratic system. It is the fundamental linchpin and without it, our system is not democratic or representative. The accuracy of the electoral register is of vital importance if we are to continue to pretend that we are representative of all the people. Since this debate started last night, there has been agreement among almost all speakers that the current register, that linchpin of our system, is grossly inaccurate and, if that is so, we have an overwhelming responsibility to make it accurate. Inaction is not an option.

Deputy Gilmore has presented a well thought-out solution to this problem. It is not an invented solution, but a carving up of solutions that are in existence elsewhere, particularly in Australia, which has a system analogous to our own. It is a robust, clear and logical set of proposals. It is an honest effort at addressing a real and identifiable issue that we all agree must be addressed in the short and long term.

This is the Labour Party's second attempt at introducing reform. Deputy Quinn pointed out that the recently completed census was the ideal opportunity for enumerators to gather accurate and reliable information. That plea was ignored, but this second attempt should be seized by the Government. However, the response of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been enormously disappointing. He dismissed Deputy Gilmore's proposal as a new quango. He called it all-powerful and unaccountable. What about the electoral boundary commission? We rely on that very powerful commission to set the boundaries for an election. It is never altered and the Bill establishing the commission goes through these Houses without amendment. We trust and rely on it and it is all-powerful in the decisions that it makes.

I have the privilege of working internationally with a group in Africa called AWEPA. We have a remit to export and build the capacity for democracy across Africa. The first and most important task is to ensure a fair, comprehensive and accurate voters' list. That is the first issue to correct if we are to have a fair democratic system. The Minister casually dismissed Deputy Gilmore's approach, but what is his solution? What did he offer last night as an alternative? He acknowledged that there is a difficulty and a problem that must be addressed. However, as a solution, he suggests that his Department will provide "consolidated guidance" to local authorities. That is like praying to the Holy Spirit. It will descend upon local authorities in a consolidated fashion and we will get it right the next time. He also suggests better procedures for deleting people who are dead and possibly more money — nothing specific — as well as prominent websites.

That is the sum total of the Minister's response to a democratic deficit that demands a serious response. The system is not working by common agreement, yet the Minister is determined that it is to remain unaltered. He dismisses two sensible, logical and well thought-out solutions put forward by the Labour Party as simply not good enough. I say to the Minister that his solution is not good enough.

We know that democracy in this country is extremely fragile. We know from experience that voter fraud is not unknown so every vote is critical. In the next general election, there will be two platforms for the people to decide which will shape the destiny of this country for the following five years. It is critically important that the view of every citizen with an entitlement to vote is represented. The voting register we currently have will not allow that to happen. My constituency of Wexford, becoming more competitive by the day, deserves to be sure that every voter is heard and that a fair and accurate count of all the people is achieved. I urge the Department, the Minister and the Minister of State present to listen to the wise counsel of Deputy Gilmore and the Labour Party benches. Otherwise, we will rue the day.

See this speech in context