Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

This motion proposes an amendment to the Constitution to allow for voting on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. A general election is always a big occasion for the country. I agree with Deputy Durkan's point that the next election will see a large number of people who wish to vote.

Last night I canvassed 100 households in my constituency of Tipperary South. I noted in excess of 20 of those houses where people expressed the wish for the election to be held on a Friday evening or a Saturday. This is rural Ireland, rural County Tipperary. People are working in Cork and in Dublin on building sites. There is no third-level college in our constituency so all students must leave and the Government is disenfranchising them. This is one practical reason a Friday or a Saturday should be chosen.

The by-election which led to my becoming a Member of the House was held on a Saturday. Since 2000, there have been two by-elections in south Tipperary — one was held mid-week and the other on a Saturday — and local elections were also held. These elections all took place within a short period and there was a higher turnout at the by-election held on the Saturday. It is unfair of Government representatives to state that the turnout at elections held on weekdays is higher. I plead with the Government to listen to the people who are stating that they want the election to be held on a Friday or a Saturday.

As already stated, many people work in Dublin or on building sites throughout the country and they only return home at weekends. People in Ireland have a major interest in both politics and the outcome of the forthcoming election. There are issues in respect of which they will engage in debate with one on the doorstep and with regard to which they wish to make decisions. There are people who want to vote for the Government because they believe it has brought about a great deal of prosperity. Likewise, there are those who want to vote for parties on this side of the House because they believe that this Administration has made a mess of things.

Everyone in this country should be given an opportunity to vote. It is five years since a general election was held and, following the impending poll, it will probably be a further five years before another is held. In a ten-year period, therefore, people will have few opportunities to vote. It is disingenuous of Government spokespersons to state that the Administration will facilitate the electorate by holding the election on a weekday.

As already stated, the by-election which led to my becoming a Member of the Dáil was held on a Saturday. Many people returned home to the constituency from Dublin and elsewhere for the weekend, voted on the Saturday and attended the Munster final involving Tipperary and Limerick on the Sunday.

I implore the Government to give way on this issue and provide people with the opportunity to vote in the election by holding it on a Saturday.

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