Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I do not intend to repeat all of the points that have been made because Senator Ruane has covered the vast majority of issues that need to be raised.

The first memorandum on establishing an electoral commission went to Cabinet in September 1996. That gives us an idea of how long this matter has been knocking around. It got caught up in electoral cycles and recessions so there has not been time to proceed with the proposal. I urge the Minister of Minister to press forward with reform because we all agree on the need to reform and improve the electoral system.

One measure that would greatly benefit the various commissions in future is the complete removal of the Minister from having any hand, act or part in the electoral process. I do not suggest that anything untoward has happened. However, if we want openness and transparency, we must ensure that electoral candidates or potential candidates do not play any role in overseeing elections. I hope legislation on this issue will pass in both Houses in this term. We have an opportunity, with all-party support, to press ahead with legislation to modernise the electoral system and get an independent commission in situ.

As I walked up the stairs to the Chamber someone mentioned to me the role played by the Minister. We will send observers to the forthcoming mid-term elections in the United States. The flaw in that system is that a candidate can play a role in an election. For this reason, I propose that the Minister and all elected representatives step away to make sure proceedings are transparent. As I stated, I do not question anything that happened previously because all Ministers have acted properly in the past. There is a flaw in the legislation that could be exploited and, therefore, we must remove it from the legislation. I pledge my support to facilitate legislation going through both Houses as quickly as possible once drafting has been completed.