Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill. I welcome the debate as it provides all of us with an opportunity to constantly examine and reform our electoral system, both nationally and at local government level. I welcome the Bill as a disqualification should not apply for election to the National Parliament or European Parliament, as in the case of 18 other European Union states. I support this legislation but I want to use this debate to move forward the reform issue. I challenge the Minister, as we face into the local and European elections on 23 May, to explain the reason he is discriminating against Independent candidates, as Deputy Catherine Murphy stated and which she references in her prepared legislation. Many members of the public do not realise that the word "Independent" cannot be used on the ballot paper. We are excluded, and that is not acceptable. We must use the term "Non-Party" or we have the opportunity, as the late former Deputy Tony Gregory used to do, to leave the box blank. That is not acceptable. We are not allowed to use the term "Independent". The Minister of State should go back to the Cabinet and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and try to end that blatant exclusion of Independent candidates throughout the country. It is time for the Government to get off the fence and do that in the interests of democracy. I know they have all been very busy over the last few days talking to the Royals and developing the peace process, which I welcome.

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