Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the Deputy in his final remarks. It is wrong to disturb children during the school week. We need to move polling stations, if possible. I acknowledge that this is not the subject of the report, nor can it be dealt with in this debate, but I echo the Deputy's remarks. It would make common sense to move polling stations out of primary and secondary schools, where possible, because of the impact on the school week and also on parents who need to organise child care for that day. I am listening to the Deputy's point and concur with him.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has sought legal advice on modernising the language used on the ballot paper. It has written to the National Adult Literacy Association to seek its views on the current format of the ballot paper from a plain English perspective. Its views will assist in the consideration of the committee's recommendations.

I say to Deputy Eamonn Maloney that I am certain that I put my tick in the right box on the day of the Seanad referendum.

I apologise on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government who was unable to attend. The transcript of the contributions made to the debate will be available. I will convey to the Minister the spirit of the contributions because it does not always come across when reading it.

I agree with Deputy Eamonn Maloney on the question of voter turnout and that there is a job of work to be done in that regard. It is noticeable that the turnout has been lower at every election. It is a problem which needs to be examined in detail by others, as well as by Members. We hold democracy dear, but, increasingly, citizens are not bothering to vote. We should not blame them; rather, we should examine what we are doing. These concerns are shared by all parties.

I thank Deputies for their contributions and will ensure we will have that discussion with the Minister next week.

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