Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not know if I can follow that contribution from Senator Norris.

On a serious note, I would like join Senator Ardagh in sending condolences to the families of the gardaí who died. I had the pleasure of meeting with local gardaí in Kevin Street in Dublin 8 yesterday and working with them on street parties and community policing in the area. I commend the significant work that has been done by community gardaí around the country and ask that in due course we have a debate on the reforms that are under way within An Garda Síochána on foot of a number of different reports that have been provided. It would be useful for this House to review those reports and changing practices and speak more about the merits and values of community.

I also join others in congratulating all those who ran for every party in the local and European elections. On behalf of my own party, the Labour Party, I commend our 111 local election candidates and our three European election candidates in particular. Labour experienced a significant increase in councillors, with at least 56 and possibly 57 seats at local government level. Some 42% of our councillors are women, which is a matter of enormous pride. It is great that more than 200 women were elected as councillors, although the overall proportion of women councillors, which is projected to be approximately 23% following the finalisation of all counts which is still not enough but nonetheless it is an improvement on what went before.We need to ensure more is done to encourage and mentor women to run for election to ensure we will see more come through.

I offer particular commendation to the Green Party candidates for their performance. On the doorstep we all noted the importance of climate change as an issue and the major public support for more measures to tackle it. We need to have more debates on the issue, particularly radical measures such as the banning of single-use plastics which we are seeing happen in different institutions and entities and also at local level.

Senator Humphreys and I were looking at the figures for the low voter turnout. The turnout was below 50%, which is a real concern. I believe it is the first time we have seen a turnout below 50%. I agree with Senator Conway-Walsh that more needs to be done to ensure a higher turnout and, in particular, to make it easier to register. It was suggested to me on one doorstep during the campaign that those who organised the new citizenship ceremonies should have the necessary procedures in place to enable those who have just received Irish citizenship to register immediately to vote. Voter registration forms are handed out at University College Dublin and also at NUI graduation ceremonies.