Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In March of this year, the Taoiseach accepted the report of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, which set out a number of ambitious and realisable targets. The report set a target, to be achieved by the end of this decade, of reaching 60% turn-out among voters between the ages of 18 and 24. Less than 50% of such voters have turned out in recent elections. The report also set a target of increasing the level of voter participation, estimated by the CSO to have been 75.5% at the 2002 general election, to at least 80% in all future general elections. The report recommended that areas where turn-out is particularly low should be specifically targeted. It is laudable that attempts are being made to achieve such ambitious targets.

The turn-out in the 1997 general election was 66%. The turn-out in the 1997 presidential election was 48%. The turn-out in the 1999 European and local elections, which were held on a Friday, was 51%. The turn-out in the 2001 referendum on the Nice treaty was 35%, but that increased to 50% for the second referendum on the treaty, which was held in 2002. When the local and European elections were held on a Friday in 2004, there was a 61% turn-out. It is obvious that my party got a good response on that occasion.

If the Taoiseach thinks the target set by the task force — a turn-out of 80% in all future general elections — is achievable and realistic, does that mean all such elections should be held on a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday? I would support such a proposal in the interests of giving as many people as possible an opportunity to cast their votes. Many young people expressed concern, anxiety and criticism when it emerged that this year's general election was to be held during exam time. They felt they would not have an opportunity to vote on the day of the election. If the Taoiseach accepts that it is possible to increase voter participation and turn-out from 75% to 80%, as outlined in the document published last March, does he agree that the target is more likely to be achieved if general elections are held on a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday? Perhaps he will comment on that matter.

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