Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The counts in the local elections have now been completed and 949 county councillors elected. I salute them because it takes courage to put one's name on a ballot paper, no matter what party one chooses to represent or whether one runs as an Independent candidate. We have learned something from the local and European Parliament elections and the referendum. We must acknowledge that voter turnout, at 50.2%, was disappointing and is an issue of concern for democrats and those who engage in the political system and process. As Senator Ardagh said, we need to consider not only educating the electorate but also assisting and supporting it. We cannot shy away from the fact that many people are disengaging from the political process. We must ask ourselves why that is the case and they do not think it is relevant to vote in local authority elections, a referendum or European Parliament elections. There are serious questions that we, as politicians, need to ask in that regard.

We also saw that electoral registers were in a mess. Yesterday we heard that people's names had been removed from them. I spoke to a person living in a row of terraced houses - Nos. 8, 9 and 10 - and all of the people living in multistorey flats had had their names removed from the electoral register. They were gravely disappointed and angry.

The counts started on Saturday at 9 a.m. and some were only completed last night. That is not an efficient way to count votes. It is unfair and we need to learn from it. There are many issues that we need to address in the administration and running of elections.This is timely, and I hope we can have a speedier roll-out of the details of the proposed independent electoral commission. It is important work, and we should not delay it. I, therefore, ask the Leader to ask or arrange for the Minister of State with responsibility for electoral reform and local government - he has both briefs - to come before the House for an engagement and a discussion on this. We all have our own unique experiences of what is happening on the ground, and we need to consider this. Clearly, in legislative terms, it is important that the independent electoral reform commission be engaged. I again remind Members that legislation can be initiated in this House. If this means spending longer days and nights and more time in the House doing legislative work, let us do it. We have the willingness and the commitment to do so, and we might have more expertise on this legislation, given our electorate, than Deputies. I, therefore, ask the Leader to consider having a discussion with the Minister of State to see whether we can progress this legislation.