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

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this legislation, the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015. I warmly welcome the Bill and the debate on it which gives us an opportunity to speak about elections, electoral politics, the Seanad and related matters. We must reform the democratic system and introduce the new and radical changes which were promised in 2011 following the banking crisis and the economic crash. We must be open to change and put our citizens at the centre of this change. If we do not do that, all the talk of reform is just hot air.

Today, once again we witnessed more sad and tragic funerals of members of the Traveller community who were killed in the horrific fire in Carrickmines. Our hearts go out to the victims' families and I express my sincere sympathy to them. However, we need more than sympathy for Travellers in society. The Traveller community needs respect, equality and decent services. For too long they have been ignored and discriminated against and this must change. Travellers in this country are our Palestinians. They have been ignored and neglected for many years.

It is criminal that funding for Traveller housing and accommodation has not been drawn down. All politicians must be brave and stand up for Traveller rights. I raise this issue in the context of the Bill and the urgent need for a new brand of politics. Regardless of political differences, prejudice, racism and failure to show respect for the human person should never be tolerated in any political system or democratic society.

The purpose of the Bill is to make three distinct amendments to electoral law. First, amendments are proposed to the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 concerning the free post entitlements for Seanad candidates. Second, the Bill amends the Seanad Electoral (Panel) Act 1947 to provide that the Association of Irish Local Government assumes the entitlement to be a nominating body of its predecessors. Third, the Bill makes amendments as to who can apply to the supplementary register, as outlined in the Electoral Act 1992. These are the three components of the legislation.

It is important to discuss the Seanad and parliamentary democracy. Sadly, certain sections of society wanted to close down the Seanad a couple of years ago. I was one of those who campaigned to keep the Upper House open, while making it more democratic and inclusive. We won the debate against the odds and in the face of a great deal of populist nonsense. We were promised necessary new reforms at the time. I support extending the Seanad franchise to emigrants and the diaspora. The Seanad also needs voices from the North, because we must be vigilant with regard to the peace process. We need to build on the Good Friday Agreement rather than trying to pull it down.

I want the Seanad to be more inclusive and respectful of democratic values. The issues of cronyism and elitism must be challenged and wiped out. I am strongly in favour of major reform of the process by which the Taoiseach nominates 11 persons to the Seanad. Members of the Traveller community could have done with a voice in the Seanad in the past three weeks. I would welcome any decision to have a voice in the Seanad speaking on behalf of Travellers because many of those who spoke out on the issue were ignored by certain sections of the media.

I am equally in favour of ensuring that people with disabilities have a voice in the Upper House. Every day, we meet quality people with great ideas about politics, the rights of persons with disabilities and the United Nations Convention on Human Rights. They are people with brilliant minds, yet their physical disability appears to be a major problem. I ask members of the Government to open their minds and hearts to the quality people with disabilities in broader society who could make a contribution and change the political agenda in the Oireachtas. I raise these ideas in the context of the broader debate on electoral reform. As we approach the 1916 commemorations, it is important to ask ourselves whether we have implemented the democratic programme and vision set out in the Proclamation. Modern Ireland needs a vision of equality and respect. We must look after the weaker sections of society.

We must also focus on supporting and developing many of the core principles of the Good Friday Agreement. Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association with the Ceann Comhairle. It was pointed out at the meeting that the Speaker of the Stormont Assembly, Mitchel McLaughlin, and the Ceann Comhairle have a strong relationship and have worked together to build trust between Unionists and Nationalists and the North and South in recent years. One does not hear much about that, even in this Chamber. We need to highlight the good work being done among all strands of political opinion on this island. I raise this issue in the context of this discussion on elections, politics and electoral reform.

To return to the implications of the Bill, if this legislation is enacted, candidates in Seanad university elections will continue to be entitled to send material in respect of their candidature by free post to each voter on the relevant electoral register. The requirement that material be sent to households only, which is to be commenced for general elections, will not be applied to the Seanad university elections. The delivery of communications to households rather than individuals is intended as a cost-saving measure, as has been pointed out. This is part of the broader brief.

Many youth groups have raised wider issues regarding elections. For example, the National Youth Council of Ireland has highlighted registration barriers and linked these to the high number of younger voters who are not registered. It has called for a centralised system of online voter registration. While it is currently possible to check whether one is registered, it is not possible to register online. I raise this issue because many young people believe they are not being shown enough respect to persuade them to get involved in politics. We need young, fresh voices to enter the political system. The turnout among young people in the recent referendum on marriage equality was substantial. However, we need young people to turn out on issues of poverty and the rights of people with disabilities. They must step up to the plate and show support for tough political issues such as the rights of Travellers. We must not run away from difficult issues.

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