Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 1

Written Answers. - Voter Participation.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

152 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on the progress made on measures to improve voter participation promised under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. [15351/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The commitment under the PPF to improve voter participation is being progressed as part of the ongoing review of electoral law. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2000, passed Second Stage in the Seanad on 27 February 2001 and I hope to be able to finalise Committee Stage amendments shortly. The Bill, when enacted, will provide for a range of issues which will make a positive contribution to encouraging voter participation.

In relation to voter registration, the Bill provides for a number of enhancements and clarifications to help streamline that process. These include provision for persons to decide that their names and addresses in the register of electors should not be used for a purpose other than electoral or other statutory use, provision that a registered voter who changes address during the life of a register of electors can apply for entry in the supplement provided he or she gives permission to delete his or her name from the register at the old address, clarification that a person who reaches 18 years on or before polling day is eligible for entry on the supplement and provision that a person employed by a returning officer at an election who is registered to vote in another constituency can be included on the supplement to the postal voter's list. At present, such staff are unable to vote at an election.

The Bill also provides for a number of changes in relation to voting including the use of photographs and political party emblems on ballot papers, provision for the inclusion of additional information on polling information cards, the display of a large print copy of the ballot paper in the polling station to assist the visually impaired, a 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. opening of polling stations, and provision that persons who are unable to read or write can have a companion vote for them. At present this facility is confined to electors with physical or sight disabilities.

My Department, as part of the PPF initiative, also carried out an extended publicity campaign in November 2000 to promote registration for the 2001/02 register of electors. The campaign was designed for and specifically targeted young people and disadvantaged communities and stressed the importance of registration, the key dates in the registration process and how to get on the register. The availability of postal voting facilities for certain students and first time registration for young people was also emphasised. It was a multi-media campaign involving national and local radio, newspaper, outdoor advertising and the distribution of over 7,000 posters to registration authorities and the constituent organisations of the National Youth Council of Ireland and the Union of Students of Ireland. It is proposed to build on this campaign this year and in 2002 including a campaign specifically to encourage voting at the next general election.