Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I have been caught wrong footed here. I had some eloquent points that I wanted to make. I will finish on that note, even though you have caught me unawares.

I welcome some of the provisions in the Bill but there are many things that are wrong with local government, such as the register of electors. There should be a designated area for posters. Councillor George Jones in Wicklow is trying to get this going, so it should be done. Contrary to what Deputy O'Connor claims, there is nothing worse than driving along the roads and seeing these signs everywhere one goes, as one cannot keep one's eye on the road. There would be no need to extend the period for their removal if they were in a designated area.

When the Minister looks at electoral reform in a detailed manner, I hope he would examine the idea of putting names on the ballot paper by random sample, as opposed to alphabetical order. There is a distinct disadvantage in appearing at the bottom of the register. The names should go into a hat and come out accordingly.

See this speech in context