Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

Many important points have been made. The big problem is that at best, 60% of the electorate in an area will cast their vote and 40% will not bother to do so. We have all been involved for many years in trying to improve the register at local authority level, and we still do not appear to have got it right. Given the huge developments that have taken place over the past five years, with new housing estates and apartments being built and new families coming into areas, much work needs to be done on the register prior to the next election.

We can say what we like about electronic voting, but there is a strong case to be made for people who have a PPS card to be able to vote. Technology nowadays is so advanced that one should be able to use the card to vote just once. Voters should be recognised at their polling station and they should not be able to use the card a second time. Whether we like it or not, we will have to move in the direction of electronic voting.

There are real problems with the voting register and something must be done to improve it. Many important points have been made by Senators. Postal voting was referred to. People who are on holidays should have a right to a postal vote. Likewise, people who must work away from home for their company have a right to a postal vote. People are so mobile nowadays that they do not know whether they will be at home or away on election day. If these people are on the voting register, they should be able to secure a postal vote within a day or two. If they are on the list of postal votes, they cannot exercise that right personally in the polling station.

We must provide people with more opportunities to vote. I welcome the change to Friday voting. What is wrong with Saturday voting, weekend voting or voting over two days, which would give people an opportunity to exercise their right? A large percentage of people who do not vote are unable to do so because of work commitments or whatever. This aspect must be examined. We will have an opportunity over the next two years to ensure that local authorities correct the register. Given the changes that are taking place in towns and so on, postmen find it confusing when they try to locate people. If this is allowed to continue, there will be real problems during the next election campaign.