Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber. This legislation, the intention of which is to modernise our democracy, is very welcome. For this reason, it is vitally important that we get the legislation right and get it done on a non-partisan basis. What I do not want to see happen is what happened at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage when members took political positions on the Bill to get at other political parties. When I speak about lottery fundraising, I will not do so from the perspective of another political party. It is important we examine this legislation as a template, as opposed to a means of getting one over on our opponents.An independent electoral commission is a development that should be welcomed by all. I credit the Minister for bringing this Bill to both Houses and thank everyone who has worked on this complex legislation which will bring about both social and political change. A number of the academics who appeared before the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss the Bill argued that the remit of the electoral commission should be broadened. What we want to see at election time is that the electoral commission is responsible for making or changing the rules.

Ultimately, this Bill is about protecting the integrity and independence of the political and democratic process, which we in Ireland have not always done in the past. As we have seen time and time again internationally in the past few years, this is not something we can take for granted. Political results are used and weaponised by people after elections. I agree with Senator Fitzpatrick in that respect. We saw that happen in the US and that is why we need to a have a robust, independent electoral commission so that parties cannot create fake news around their own perspectives on an election. We often see comments to the effect that certain individuals were "only" elected on the sixth or seventh count, as if their election does not have legitimacy. That is ridiculous and it is why we need to have a robust system in place.

The Labour Party very much welcomes the regulation of online political advertising, which is provided for in the Bill. The Internet and social media have a huge influence on politics and are often used to misrepresent what is happening in the political system. Nefarious forces are trying to misrepresent on their own behalf. Social media in particular are already dominating much political discussion and development. Anything that engages people in politics is welcome but we must make sure it does not undermine the integrity of elections or referendums, as we saw happen with the Brexit referendum in the UK in 2016, for example. Preserving the independence and integrity of our political and civic process should always be at the heart of what we are trying to achieve here. It is also what the electoral commission will be tasked with and hopefully it will be properly resourced to achieve that goal.

The Labour Party also believes that electoral debates should be properly regulated by the independent electoral commission which could make recommendations on their conduct. During the most recent election, there was enormous controversy around a particular decision by RTÉ. We believe this is an area that the electoral commission could oversee and regulate. This also applies to the regulation of opinion polls which have been shown to significantly change the course of elections, particularly if people are led to believe that one party or candidate is going to win.

Modernisation of the electoral register is also very welcome but I agree with my colleagues that we need to have a centralised system. The way that we currently maintain the register is not working. Having 31 local authorities each holding its own register is not efficient, particularly in an age of information technology. While it may not be included in this Bill, I want to see an electoral commission extending the franchise to Irish people living abroad who have the intention of coming back within a certain timeframe. We saw a massive number of people come home to vote in the marriage equality referendum and we know that young Irish people are engaged. We also know that for reasons such as the financial crash, the current housing crisis and the way they see our cities developing, many of our young people are moving abroad. They should have the right to have a say on the political future of the country in which they want to live. Just because they live in London, Paris or New York for a couple of years does not mean they should lose out on that chance.

I also want to see the vote extended to people at 16. I understand that this might require a constitutional amendment but a referendum should not be a barrier to making changes that are right and promote democratic participation. We also need to have a look at our citizenship fees which are among the highest in Europe. Indeed, the cost is so prohibitive that many EU citizens do not apply for citizenship. While they enjoy many entitlements as EU citizens, they cannot vote in Dáil elections. I know people from Madrid and France who have lived in Ireland for over 20 years and still cannot vote in constitutional referendums. That is wrong.

That the Bill solely provides for pre-registration for those aged 16 and 17 shows a lack of ambition. We should be looking at reducing the voting age. This is a great opportunity to engage young people in politics. It is time to empower all young people and allow them the opportunity to participate in a political process that will fundamentally affect them for years to come. That is made clear by the housing and cost-of-living crises, as well as the crisis in education.

I want to speak about a recent Government amendment to the Bill relating to fundraising lotteries. I believe in transparency, which is why an electoral commission is so important in terms of taking things out of political parties' narrow self-interest. Every single political party, for its own reasons, can decide to insert provisions in this Electoral Reform Bill but it is unfair that this last-minute amendment was inserted. It will benefit one political party. This is particularly concerning because we have seen other measures inserted in the Bill to get at another political party. This Bill will serve us for years to come, long after all of us have passed through this House. We need to protect the independence and integrity of the electoral commission but the Government's last-minute amendment does not do that. We all know how money can affect democracy. We must make sure that all political parties and independent politicians have a relatively level playing pitch when it comes to fundraising and competing in elections. This is vital to a free and fair democracy. I support the registration of properties by political parties so that such ownership is transparent and people know about it. That is why I believe the last-minute change is so sly, for want of a better word.

The Labour Party will work with the Minister of State to bring the best possible legislation into effect, to ensure a fair and independent democracy and electoral system and to produce ambitious legislation which will benefit this country and its political system for many years to come.

I echo Senator Warfield's comments on Senator Ruane's Bill. I understand this measure was promised as part of the Electoral Reform Bill. The Electoral Act is to be reviewed and I ask the Minister to commit to working with Senator Ruane and other members of the Civil Engagement Group when they submit amendments on Committee Stage.