Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is very important to recognise the significant work that has been undertaken by the Minister, the Department and the committee as regards the drafting of this Bill. It is wide-ranging and challenging area, given the level of structural change. That is why it is such important legislation.

There have been many calls for many years for real, substantive change that delivers a much more efficient approach to the basis of our democracy, which is our electoral system. It is important we do that but it is also important we get it right. One of the major factors is the need for a pathway to electoral inclusion for those most disenfranchised from our electoral process, including addressing the barriers to participating in the electoral system and safeguarding equality of access and outcome. Our forms of decision-making need to better reflect the population they represent. This means equal diversity of men and women throughout the country from various backgrounds, including those form marginalised communities. It includes young people, disabled people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds. I am concerned that there appears to be a lack of acknowledgement of the importance of that inclusion in this Bill.

It has been a long-standing Sinn Féin commitment to lower the voting age to 16, as has been tried and tested in other jurisdictions. Not only will that be a positive influence on the political system, it will also encourage young people of all backgrounds to get active and get voting as early as possible. Representation of women in politics remains unacceptably low. The under-representation of women at any level, and the lack of women's voices at decision-making tables, results in a democratic deficit. Women's experiences and participation are vital to political life and democracy. We cannot afford election cycles to pass us by before we see greater parity in representation.

Some unease has also been expressed by NGOs involved in policy advocacy. They are concerned that the definition of "political purposes" might be too restrictive. While I agree that there need to be strong rules regarding external influences on our electoral processes, we must also balance robust protection and not limiting the ability of NGOs and others to do legitimate policy advocacy work

Would the Minister like to take his chat outside? I can hear him talking and it is very disruptive.

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