Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments on amendment No. 22. As I said, it is not something that is contained within the Bill. I will take the bona fides of the Minister regarding the intention in respect of contact. That is going to be crucial.

As the Minister will be aware, the other amendments and proposals we have made in this area were not solely for the full transfer of the NUI and TCD registers. I also made proposals in respect of the transfer of those who have voted in the last one, two or three elections. I still believe that should be considered. I suggest that a full transfer for inclusion in the new register would be advisable. Given that those who voted in the last Seanad election and those who will vote in the forthcoming Seanad election may be seen as having indicated that their information is up to date - they are engaged and active voters - I suggest that they should not be asked to go through another process. That they are already actively engaged in the register should be sufficient. Those who voted in the last election voted during Covid when it is was extremely difficult to exercise the franchise. I still believe that those who may be about to vote in the pending Seanad elections should be automatically included. We disagree on that, and that is fine.

I also disagree with the Minister in respect of the supplementary register. There is a reason we have a supplementary register in respect of referendums, Dáil elections and European elections. The Seanad is an outlier in that a supplementary register is not offered. Again, a supplementary register is a sign from the State that we value people's participation and that we want to make sure we give every opportunity to people to participate electorally. There is a reason we have those supplementary registers - it is about sending a signal of encouragement and support to people to join in collective decision-making through an electoral event, even where they may not have been previously on the register. I believe the same principle - the same reasons we have a supplementary register for other elections and referendums - applies in respect of Seanad elections. I urge the Minister to look at this issue.

We will come to the electoral commission later. The Minister has made great reference to it. Sadly, our attempts to have Seanad reform included in the electoral commission's original mandate were rejected. The narrowness of the commission's remit in respect of the Seanad is notable. It is looking to post-electoral events and the conduct of the register, for example, but it is not being given a mandate in respect of Seanad reform or the expansion of the franchise, or the next steps that could be taken in respect of Seanad reform or a widening of the franchise. It is perhaps not accurate to suggest it will be coming with these proposals. At present, the commission's remit is narrowly confined to whether the elections were conducted correctly and whether the registrations are taking place correctly. That is the narrow remit we have in front of us.