Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. We spoke on these issues previously. I think it was in December 2017. I thank the Minister of State for his statement. The proposal for an electoral commission has been on the table for a very long time. We have had not one but perhaps two new generations of voters who have grown up while this issue continued to be considered. As such, I really welcome progress here.

The Minister of State said in his speech that he did not want to see a "big bang" approach and that he wanted it to be gradual. Let us not, however, have that graduality around the establishment of the electoral commission. Rather, let us move ahead and establish the commission. It may then be, absolutely, that the Oireachtas and Government will choose to expand or enhance its powers as matters develop. We cannot, however, go into our next election with just another report on the table or piling up on the shelf for consideration. I notice that the Minister of State is developing legislation and I would really like to see it progressed. Even if each decision around the specific powers involves a cautious or expansionary approach, we will at least have legislation and be able to move more swiftly whether by statutory instrument or debate to expand those decisions.

An electoral commission is necessary to ensure we have an ongoing understanding of democracy and how it works. Democracy and everyone's participation is not something that happens every now and then in an election. It is not something we call on citizens to be part of every now and again. It is a permanent and ongoing thing in which everyone has a stake. An electoral commission would give ongoing clarity around the rules of engagement and how we conduct our elections. At the moment, for example, we see a patchwork of measures. In the recent referendum, there was a debate around who regulates billboards and where billboards come in. All of these questions arise. That patchwork of measures and the different timings in the arrival of rules for each vote could be addressed by a permanent electoral commission. It would give clarity and an equality of participation for all those who put themselves forward or seek to participate in any way in an electoral process, whether a referendum or an election.

A key matter I have spoken about in the House on many occasions is the regulation of online advertising relating to elections or referenda. Political advertising is an area in which Ireland is being looked to increasingly to give a lead. We are one of the places and one of the locations where this debate has happened. Ireland was looking at these issues at the same time that they were being looked at in the US Senate. The measures which have been piloted and tried in Ireland are likely to be rolled out elsewhere and, in fact, have been rolled out in the Mexican elections. That points to one of the ways in which an electoral commission will be so powerful. It will not be tied to our electoral moments, but will be able to look at electoral best practice internationally, drawing on it and noticing problems and opportunities as they arise in other countries. That would be very important. For example, one looks at the issue of e-voting, which was something that was lauded as a wonderful thing but has now been rolled back in other countries. An electoral commission would allow a constant monitoring of good practice so that at the moments when we call on the public to make crucial decisions, they are fully informed and we know a good system is in place.

From the outset, it must be recognised in the philosophy informing any electoral commission we put forward that its role is not simply one of oversight. It should also be to inspire. Its role should not only be to ensure we have accountability in our democracy but that we actively seek engagement. This is the centenary year of suffrage and I have been very proud to be part of the Vótáil 100, a cross-party Oireachtas group to commemorate the expansion of suffrage to a number of women. However, it is an ongoing process. After millennia of different forms of power, we now have democracy as one of the greatest ways to ensure that all are engaged and involved. We need a mandate of enthusiasm not simply to ensure correct registration but to drive and encourage registration and the act of voting.

Key areas which need to be addressed include voting at 16. I was concerned to hear the Minister of State refer in his speech to one referendum which is planned to be held to expand the franchise abroad in that many are expecting that there will also be a referendum on the right to vote at 16 next May or June in line with the European elections. Can the Minister of State confirm that such a referendum will take place? It is something our young citizens have been very active and passionate in pushing for. If people vote when they are young, they are more likely to continue to vote throughout their lives. I am glad the Minister of State referred to the role of public education. An electoral commission could have a very active role engaging with CSPE programmes and with young people in school around democracy and their participation in it.

Postal voting is very important for people. Ireland is unusually restrictive in this regard. For example, tomorrow is the last day for students to be able to register to vote. People face huge obstacles. A number of solutions have been outlined eloquently by my colleague, Senator Ruane, around flexibility in voting data and making postal voting more accessible. There are many things we can do about postal voting. The supplementary register also raises issues of concern. Often, people who believe they have registered have, in fact, fallen off registers.

I was an advocate of Seanad reform long before I came to the House or even thought I might do so. It is very important and I understand proposals are to come forward. However, we cannot wait for an electoral commission on either voting at 16 or Seanad reform. These are issues on which we must advance apace even while we are working separately to develop an electoral commission. I am sure we can create space in a Seanad reform Bill, which we should pass in the current term, to ensure a future electoral commission will be able to engage with it in an appropriate way. We must ensure these things move in parallel and that one is not used as a reason to delay another. We need a universal franchise for our Seanad. That is the mandate we were given and we must deliver on it following the referendum on the Seanad.