Dáil debates
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Electoral (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: First Stage
6:15 pm
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Electoral Act 1992, the Referendum Act 1994, and the Presidential Elections Act 1993; in order to change island voting; and to provide for related matters.Ba mhaith liom cead a fháil an Bille seo a chur faoi bhráid an Tí. Is é údar an Bhille ná fáil réidh leis na forálacha sna Achtanna Toghcháin a cheadaíonn toghchán a chur ar bun ar na hoiléain ar dáta éigin roimh dáta an toghcháin ar an mórthír. Faoi láthair, is é an ceann comhairimh a shocraíonn dáta an toghcháin ar na hoileáin. Tá an fhoráil seo sa reachtaíocht de bharr an easpa deiseanna iompair chuig na hoileáin san am atá imithe. Le 15 bliain anuas, tá feabhas mór tagtha ar na seirbhísí chuig na hoileáin. Níl aon ghá leis an bhforáil seo níos mó. Go deimhin féin, bíonn na toghcháin ar na hoileáin i gContae Chorcaí ar an lá céanna leis na toghcháin ar an mórthír. Tá Oileán Chléire chomh fada amach ón gcósta le haon oileán eile in Éirinn. Má ghlactar leis an mBille seo in am tráth, beidh an scéal amhlaidh ar na hoileáin i gContae na Gaillimhe, i gContae Mhaigh Eo agus i gContae Thír Chonaill. Thabharfadh sé seo deis i bhfad níos mó do na hoileánaigh filleadh abhaile agus vótáil, go mórmhór nuair a bhíonn toghchán ar siúl ar an Aoine. Tá go leor oileánaigh ag obair ar an mórthír. Sílim go bhfuil sé in am é seo a athrú. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an Bille seo achtaithe ní roimh an 23ú lá den mhí seo ach roimh an chéad toghchán eile ina dhiaidh sin.
The purpose of the Bill is abolish the provision contained in existing legislation which allows a returning officer to arrange for an election to be held on an island on a date which is before polling day on the mainland. This provision was introduced as a result of the very poor transport services to the islands in the past. However, in the past 15 years the position has changed and there are now very good transport services available to the islands. It is worth noting that in recent years elections have been held on the islands off the coast of Cork on the same day as those held on the mainland. This was despite the fact that Cape Clear Island is located as far out to sea as many of the other islands and has piers which are inferior to those which obtain on those islands. If the Bill is accepted, it will ensure that those who live on the islands off Donegal, Mayo and Galway will vote on the same day as their counterparts throughout the remainder of the country. This is particularly important in view of the fact that elections are often held on Fridays. For those from the islands who are either working or studying on the mainland, it is much easier to return home and vote on a Friday than on any other day of the week.
I hope there will be a widespread welcome among Members of the House for this Bill and that it will be enacted prior to the next election after those due to be held later this month. I do not expect that it will be enacted before 23 May next, but in view of the number of islands off the coast of Mayo, perhaps the Taoiseach might facilitate its being rushed through. I will not live in hope in that regard. I do hope, however, that the Bill will receive unanimous support and that it will be enacted in advance of the next general election.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the Bill opposed?
Paul KehoeSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."