Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome. I want to start by thanking my colleague, Senator Higgins, and her policy adviser, Sárán Fogarty, who have done phenomenal work in this area, as have Senators Ruane, Warfield and McDowell. Many people have done brilliant work.

I really believe this Bill is a celebration of democracy. That is what I think it is about today. We are fortunate to live in a country with peaceful democracy and a vibrant civil society. We cannot just rest on our laurels here, however. We need to be aware of defects and deficits in our democratic system. When they are identified, we need to act swiftly to rectify the faults. This was the message of the majority judgement in the recent Supreme Court case on the constitutionality of the Seanad university panel franchise. I wish to take the time to commend the litigant, Tomás Heneghan, and Free Legal Advice Centres, FLAC, which represented him. They have done this House a really great service by instigating reform that is long overdue.

There are many aspects of this Bill and my colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group have outlined most of them in their speeches. However, the piece I want to focus on is the provision of free public transport on the day of elections. This is really important. I do not want to repeat what my colleagues have said but while this might seem like a small thing, for many low-income people, it is a signal that their participation in our democracy is important and that their Government is taking active steps to make it possible for them to exercise their right to vote. Every euro matters, particularly in this cost-of-living crisis.

Free public transport on election days is a feature of civic life all over the world. Fiji and Israel provide free public transport on election days.Many cities in the US and Brazil provide it. The provision of free public transport on election day would also contribute to a sense of occasion. It could make it almost a festive day, which would be lovely. Elections are important and it is vital that we make every effort to foster an engaged electorate. It is a proportionally small cost and a worthy investment, I believe, in our democracy.

Election turnout has been relatively static, in the low-to-mid 60s in percentage terms for general elections for some time. It is even lower for local and European elections, which is extremely worrying at this time. The lower turnout in local and European elections seems to be particularly concentrated in deprived areas and more needs to be done to address this issue. The Government should consider making election days public holidays to signal their importance. It would be wonderful to have a public holiday on election day to signal its importance and to boost voter turnout.

I also want to make clear and highlight at this point that restrictions will still apply in any referendums.

I hope that this House can see the value in this legislation. I agree with my colleague, Senator Flynn, about not kicking the can down the road any more on this. This is a wonderful opportunity for change, expanding and enriching our democracy. It is a beautiful thing, when you think of it. It is a proposition that every Member here in this House, regardless of his or her political background, should be able to get behind and it is not too late for the Minister of State to change his mind.