Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have some sympathy with the idea of An Coimisiún Toghcháin conducting research on who votes, but it is probably going to be slightly more challenging in Seanad elections given the nature of the electorate. For instance, An Coimisiún Toghcháin has already started to conduct qualitative research. Both in the local and European elections and during the referendums in March, somebody was conducting surveys on behalf of An Coimisiún Toghcháin in my local polling station in Gorey, County Wexford. I have a lot of sympathy with what Senator Higgins says, so that we can ensure research is carried out. I am quite certain that An Coimisiún Toghcháin would do it.

I have one question to put to the Minister on resourcing to ensure research is carried out. This is going to involve significant work in the coming years. If we are to carry out quantitative and qualitative research, we need to have people who are able to do it, so that it is not just a case of it being commissioned. I imagine An Coimisiún Toghcháin would do it, but I have a lot of sympathy with the idea of the research being included as part of the legislation.