John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I share the concerns expressed by colleagues from across the House in regard to the grossly misleading information being peddled by elements on the Government side in regard to Friday's referendum. It is a pity the Government felt it had to resort to misleading the public in order to prevail and win the day. It is a pity also it did not put as much effort into ensuring a good turn-out on Friday. The expectation is that the public is not exercised by or engaged in this matter because the Government has failed to prove its case and that turn-out will be less than 30%, which means that 15% of the electorate will decide the outcome. As a democrat, I will accept and respect the decision of the public and electorate regardless of the result. Nevertheless, it is dangerous that such a serious and important matter will be decided by a low number of people. I suggest, therefore, that if the Government is, as it claims, bent on and serious about reform, one such reform should be that for any referendum result to be valid and credible in law and to have any authority turn-out must be at least 50%. Such provision prevails in many other European countries. I urge the Government to at least consider that matter.

Yesterday in Portlaoise and throughout the country there were lengthy queues outside motor tax offices of people trying to comply with the law. I appeal to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, who rightly introduced legislation to close off a loophole which allowed for tax evasion in regard to motor vehicles and resulted in a loss to the Exchequer of €50 million, to ensure people trying to comply with that law, many of whom are elderly, are not penalised in respect of late registration. As it is not possible to register off-road vehicles, many of them vintage tractors and so on, online, there were lengthy queues at 3.30 p.m. yesterday outside motor tax offices throughout the country. These people wish to comply with the law and should be given an opportunity to do so. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to allow common sense prevail and extend the deadline by one week to allow people get their house in order, particularly elderly people in terms of the onerous forms required to be filled out.