Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----but I will certainly consider the debate and see what happens at the end of it.

I want to respond to some of the issues raised. All of the Deputies supported the measures in the Bill. The Bill deals with three specific issues that will bring about real and meaningful change. The Bill adapts electoral law to changing circumstances. Its purpose is to modernise electoral law to meet the changing circumstances we see in Ireland. I believe that was the thrust of Deputy Ó Cuív's contribution.

Significant savings can be realised in the cost of running the next general election with the change in the Freepost arrangements for Dáil elections. Deputy Coppinger said they were meagre savings. I am not sure what world Deputy Coppinger lives in, but in my world a saving of €3.6 million is significant. I take this opportunity to advise Deputies that it is also the Minister's intention to commence the household distribution provision for presidential elections. That, too, will have a potential saving.

Our new citizens who meet the age and residency requirements will be entitled to apply for entry in the supplementary register for all elections and referendums once they acquire Irish citizenship.

The amendment on the format of the ballot paper for use in Dáil elections that the Minister will bring forward on Committee Stage should help voters to avoid misplacing voting preferences. It should also be more user-friendly for voters with visual and literacy difficulties.

Numerous points were raised on the electoral commission. In his remarks on electoral administration, Deputy Cowen neglected to refer to the consultation paper on the establishment of an electoral commission. This was published in January by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly. The joint Oireachtas committee of which the Deputy is a member has done good work this year in engaging with a wide range of interested parties on the paper. The Minister now awaits the report and the recommendations of the committee. This will further inform the development of the electoral commission Bill. Contrary to what Deputy Cowen suggested, this Government has a proud record of electoral reform. We have overseen significant enhancement of our political funding regulatory system, effective banning of corporate donations, the reduction of donation limits, as well as greater transparency, including through the publication of party accounts. I hope the candidate gender balance provisions will change the face of the next Dáil, but that is a matter for the electorate. In any event, at least we will now be giving the electorate a choice.

Deputy Stanley spoke at length on Seanad reform. That is a matter for another day or, perhaps, many other days. However, it is important that we debate the issue further.

Deputies referred to the electoral register. I doubt if there has ever been a discussion in this House on electoral matters in which difficulties relating to the electoral register were not raised. People who have come up through the local authority system know that this is a constant source of angst between the executive and elected members. As we move into the future, technology is going begin to play a major role in ensuring that the way to register to vote will be far simpler.

Deputy Ó Cuív has campaigned for many years on voting on the islands. I would encourage him to bring forward his amendment. Let us see where that amendment will take us.

Deputy Tuffy remarked on new citizen registration. When the Bill is passed the Department will be engaging with the local authorities, the Department of Justice and Equality and other bodies representing our new citizens in respect of new provisions to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the change in this law.

I believe I have addressed most of the issues. I thank the Deputies for their interesting contributions.

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