Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Second, do we need to have two Chambers that are elected by the popular vote? That question must be asked. Senator McDowell is a great advocate for having an independent Seanad, and the current one is the most diverse I have seen, but there will be campaigning for the popular vote in both Houses. When a Bill is going through one House or the other, Members will have to deal with the popular vote, so what becomes popular will be the issue of the day. That will cause problems. At present, Members of this House are not here on foot of a popular vote and they do not have to face the people on issues, so it is easier for them to make an unpopular decision.

I see from the Minister of State's speech that the Department has reservations about some issues, and rightly so, not least the cost. There are many issues with regard to the vote. A section of the report says that where a person entitled to vote in a Seanad general election or by-election states in writing to the Seanad's returning officer that he or she duly returned the ballot papers and the form of declaration of identity by ordinary post to the Seanad returning officer, and the same do not appear to have been delivered to the Seanad returning officer and that he or she desires duplicate ballot papers to be issued to him or her, the Seanad returning officer, if such statement is received not less than 48 hours before the close of the poll at the election, shall forthwith, or if such statement is received by him or her less than 48 hours before the close of business, may send out another ballot paper by ordinary post to such person at his or her address as stated in the electoral register. With the amount of the panel at 500,000, how will that paper be found? Another ballot paper will have to be sent out if it cannot be found. It might appear simple but it is complicated. Perhaps I have missed something.