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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Written Answers. - Referendum Turn-out.

Liam Burke

Question:

186 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has undertaken an analysis of the very low turn-out of voters and the high number of spoiled votes in the recent referendum; the proposals, if any, he has to make a report available on the outcome of interdepartmental discussions in this regard; his views on whether the holding of the referendum and the Presidential election on the same day resulted in confusion in view of the lack of clarity in the minds of the electorate on the referendum issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19357/97]

In accordance with normal practice after each referendum, my Department has prepared a statistical table in respect of the recent referendum showing, inter alia, the percentage turn-out and the number of spoilt votes for each constituency in the referendum.

As regards analysing the spoilt votes, the Referendum Act, 1994 provides that each local returning officer in a referendum is required to prepare a statement of rejected ballot papers showing the numbers of papers rejected for each of the following reasons: absence of official mark; absence of an "X" or any mark which clearly indicates a vote, or a mark on a ballot paper not so placed as to indicate a vote in favour of or against the proposal; an "X" or mark on ballot paper is so placed as to indicate both a vote in favour of and against the proposal and writing or other mark on ballot paper which in the opinion of the local returning officer, is calculated to identify the elector.

The local returning officer is required, on request, to allow any agent present at the count to copy the statement. Copies of all the statements, which are made available to my Department, have not yet been furnished by the local returning officers. When all the statements are received, the data in them will be reviewed by my Department. There is no requirement in referendum law for consultations with other Departments on the result of a referendum.

I have no information to suggest that the holding of the Presidential election and referendum on the same day resulted in confusion on the part of the electorate.

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