Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

There is no doubt about that. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill and I pay tribute to Deputy O'Dowd for introducing it. It is a great tribute to him that his name is attached to a Bill rather than just a motion. He distinguished himself during the lifetime of this Dáil, particularly in his work on nursing homes. Like Deputy O'Connor, I wish all the Members present the very best in the forthcoming election.

Before discussing the Bill, it is important to consider what it proposes to change. In this regard, section 96 of the Electoral Act 1992 states quite clearly that a poll at a Dáil election shall take place on any day of the week, provided it "is not earlier than the seventeenth day or later than the twenty-fifth day next following the day on which the writ or writs for the election is or are issued." The Bill before us proposes that the poll should be on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. This is somewhat regressive because it is removing the right to hold the election on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. In that regard, it is worth noting that voter participation is perhaps the key element of our democracy, as has been mentioned by all the previous speakers. If there is no voter participation, we will surely have lost what our democracy is all about.

We are ultimately discussing how personal opinions stand up regarding this issue but it is worth considering some of the facts and figures pertaining to previous elections and referenda. The past two general elections, in 1997 and 2002, were held on a Friday. The 2002 election turnout was 62.6% and that in 1997 was turnout of65.9%. The general election prior to that, held in 1992, was held on a Wednesday and the turnout was 68.5%. The 1989 election, also held on a Wednesday, had a turnout of 68.5%. It is interesting to note the 1987 election was held on a Tuesday with a turnout of 73%. If we consider these figures purely from a statistical perspective, we will note a drop in turnout of almost 10% as the elections were moved closer to the weekend, from a Wednesday in 1987 to a Friday in 2002. If we were to take this argument to its logical conclusion, we could assume the turnout at a weekend would be much lower. Statistics are very much open to individual interpretation and can be used for different purposes. However, we are all agreed that voter participation is the key, as Deputy O'Connor stated.

An interesting point made to me repeatedly concerns the hours for which polling stations open. I note the legislation states they must be open for not less than 12 hours. I urge the Minister, when signing the relevant legislation, to allow the stations to open between 7 a.m. and 10.30 p.m., that is, for 15.5 hours. I hope this will allow as many people as possible to vote. Thanks to the wonderful economy the Government has maintained for the past ten years, an enormous number of people are at work. The employment level is the highest ever in the State and it is important that those working late in the day can be facilitated by the 7 a.m. opening and those working earlier in the day can be facilitated by the 10.30 p.m. closure.

It is interesting that the Government set up an electoral commission to encourage people to vote. This was achieved under the auspices of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, which was established in April 2006 and which reported in March 2007. Its very interesting report contains a section that deals specifically with political issues. I am very much in agreement with many of the recommendations of the taskforce, one of which was to establish a totally independent electoral commission to deal with all aspects of elections, including the determination of the dates on which they should be held, how best to encourage people to engage in the electoral process and how voting can occur. In this regard, it was interesting that there was a debate this morning between the Taoiseach and some leaders of the Opposition on electronic voting. This is an issue that the electoral commission might be able to examine when it is established. It can remove the political hot air from the debate and consider the matter purely from an objective viewpoint.

It is also worth noting that, despite the decline in voter turnout, we do not know how many young people are voting. Hearsay would indicate that an increasing number of young people are not voting but I note from experience that if they are afforded the opportunity and encouraged, they will do so. In this regard, I commend all the Members of this House who spend time visiting secondary schools to talk to children in transition year or those who are about to turn 18 to explain to them how the Dáil and political process work.

Last Monday, I spent an hour visiting a class in Summerhill College in Sligo and I was astounded by the interaction that occurred. The students were very keen on the electoral process and knew much more than I expected. We engaged in a question and answer session which unfortunately had to end after an hour because of time constraints, but I have no doubt that it could have proceeded for much longer. I was really encouraged by the wide range of political opinions expressed by the students. Some of their questions were of a very searching and intelligent nature and, in this regard, it is encouraging to realise they will become engaged in the political process. I was delighted to encourage as many of them as possible to join the Fianna Fáil Party, which is obviously very progressive in its thinking on a wide range of issues.

As a Member from a constituency some considerable distance from Dublin, namely, Sligo-North Leitrim, I stress that many students attending college in Galway, Limerick or Dublin would like to return home to vote at the weekend. However, it is important that the House send out the message that the existing legislation provides that students attending full-time education away from their place of residence are entitled to apply for a postal vote. It is important to encourage as many students as possible to do so.

I thank those who acted as Chairman in the House over the past five years and wish them well in the forthcoming election. The main message from tonight's debate is that we must encourage as many people as possible to vote. It is important that the diverse range of candidates be supported by as many voters as possible. I will not support the Bill for the reasons I have outlined but I will support the ministerial amendment.

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