Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I listened with great interest to the debate today. Apart from one or two contributions it was a very positive and constructive engagement which is how this Dáil works. We all share the same commitment to the democratic process and the desire to increase voter participation. Many different views and interesting points have been raised here today. All of these will have to be considered on the next Stage of the Bill. We were debating the proposal that a fixed polling period of 15 hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. would lead to increased voter participation. We heard all the arguments about that from both sides. It is important to continue to be open to new ideas to promote greater voter participation.

The Government has been very active in the area of electoral reform and plans to continue in that vein. The establishment of the electoral commission is a further significant reform to which this Government is fully committed. I have no doubt that the work involved in developing the electoral commission will widen the debate on electoral matters, including voter participation.

In respect of electoral reform we have abandoned the acceptance of corporate donations over €200, unless that body has registered with the Standards in Public Office Commission and the donor has declared to the recipient that the donation has been authorised by a general meeting of the members of the body concerned; we have reduced the limits on political donation by a political party from some €6,300 to €2,500 and by an individual from €2,500 to €1,000; reduced the thresholds at which donations must be reported by a political party from €5,000 to €1,500 and by an individual from €634 to €600; and reduced the threshold from €5,078 to €200 above which companies, trade unions, societies and building societies must report on political donations in their annual accounts. In the recent European Parliament elections we saved €3.8 million on the Litir Um Thoghchan by changing its basis from one letter to every person in a household entitled to vote to one letter per household.

Finally, I want to congratulate Deputy Doyle and his staff on the excellent work they have done. The significance of it all is that we have had an excellent, constructive and positive debate on this Bill, which will now advance to Committee Stage for further development. I welcome today's discussion.

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