Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I have made the point before to the effect that his party was very enthusiastic in the past, but the point is that this is part of an ongoing debate we should have, removed from the white heat of electoral politics. We should examine how we conduct the democratic process and what powers should be given to an independent commission very early in the life of the next Dáil. I simply make that point because it is something on which there is general consensus in the House.

There is need for an ambitious programme of modernisation and reform of the electoral system in Ireland and I have said this on several occasions. The best and least contentious, if not the only, way to achieve this is through political consensus within this House as to the programme that needs to be implemented, shortly after the next election, and then establishing an independent commission to get on with the job.

The proposal from the task force is very welcome and an important input to the emerging debate. In fact it may be desirable to build on the task force's proposals and widen the remit of the proposed commission to include responsibility for all aspects of elections — in particular to include responsibility for constituency and local electoral area revision. Again, this is a matter that cannot be logically dealt with in the white heat of an election campaign. It is much better if it is dealt with in calmer waters afterwards.

The recommendations formulated by the task force have been accepted by Government and a new office is being established to develop an implementation plan in consultation with the stakeholders. To conclude, limiting elections and referendums to weekend voting, as proposed in the Bill before the House, would require careful consideration of a range of factors, including people being away from home, the large numbers employed in the services, the reality of commuting, as Deputy O'Dowd has said, possible objections on religious grounds, the likelihood of competition with sporting events and the fact that the weekend might not be the panacea for reduced voter turn-out.

Another point is that real voter turn-out in Ireland has been higher than the statistics we all quote from time to time. The reality is that it must be, since the voting register has been a mess for many years. We have made an honest effort to correct the mess and now we have the most up to date register for a quarter of a century, as we go into this election. Again, that is an issue that needs to be looked at by an electoral commission. An electoral commission should examine the issue of constructing a voting register. The Deputy and I differ as regards the use of PPS numbers. I do not believe that makes any sense while he believes it is the panacea. We just have an honest difference in that regard, and it is one of the issues that could be looked at and resolved.

See this speech in context