Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

To answer Senator Moylan's point, which was a fair one, our amendment suggests the ballot paper should include the names and a description of the candidate standing with the names arranged randomly as determined by lot by the returning officer. We all know who the returning officers are. Once the candidates emerge, their names could be included in a large hat. I am not suggesting that the hot names should be first on the ballot paper. In the case of an athletics race, each person's starting point is selected by lot. As an election is like an athletics race in many respects, the analogy is relevant in terms of the ordering of names on a ballot paper. Random selection is fairer than alphabetical selection. Even if the latter implies an advantage of only 1% or 2%, it can sometimes distort a result.

According to an academic study, 24% of the entire membership of the Dáil and Seanad have surnames which begin with one of the first six letters of the alphabet. This is not in keeping with the way in which names emerge in other areas. It is through the Electoral Acts that we should reduce the unfair advantage which exists. I accept the Minister of State's point that the issue cannot be addressed without consensus. I ask him to honour his commitment to examine the matter with his Department in consultation with the political parties. This measure should be introduced, particularly for Dáil elections. There have been excellent developments in the inclusion on ballot papers of candidates' names, party affiliations and photographs. There is long-term merit in this proposal also.