30 Apr 2015, 16:22
The Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht is now inviting written submissions from interested groups or individuals relating to the Government's Consultation Paper on an Electoral Commission in Ireland.
HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS
MEDIA RELEASE
30th April 2015
The Joint Committee will consider written submissions and when this public process is complete, the Committee may prepare a report or recommendations on the matter for the consideration of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Committee Chair, Michael McCarthy, TD says: “The establishment of an independent Electoral Commission to oversee the management of elections and referenda is an issue of vital importance to Irish democracy. Currently, the administration of our electoral process is spread across the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, local authorities and a number of different state agencies whose job it is to oversee different aspects of the electoral regime.”
“The Committee is now inviting interested individuals and organisations for their views to assist in its consideration of the Consultation Paper. Currently, though the Irish people are very much engaged with the political process, there is a very fragmented system in place which lacks sufficient integration and oversight. There is a real opportunity for confidence in the political system to be enhanced by creating a more streamlined electoral process.”
“Over the next number of months, the Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will scrutinise the Government’s Consultation Paper on an Electoral Commission in Ireland – a document which examines a range of issues including electoral finances, voter turnout and education, as well as voter registration and counting of votes.”
“The Joint Committee’s call for submissions reflects our commitment to assisting the Government in protecting and enhancing the Irish democratic process for the benefit of everyone.”
The closing date for receipt of submissions is 3pm on Monday, 8th June 2015.
Have your say and make a submission
ENDS
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Committee Membership:
Chairman: Michael Mc Carthy TD (Labour)
Deputies
James Bannon TD (Fine Gael)
Noel Coonan TD [Vice-Chair] (Fine Gael);
Ruth Coppinger TD (Socialist Party)
Barry Cowen TD (Fianna Fáil);
Robert Dowds TD (Labour);
Eamonn Maloney TD (Labour);
Helen McEntee TD (Fine Gael)
Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael);
Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael);
Catherine Murphy TD (Independent);
Fergus O’Dowd TD (Fine Gael);
Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD Uasal (Fiann;a Fáil)
Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin);
Peadar Tóibín TD Uasal (Sinn Féin)
Senators
Senator Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)
Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael);
Senator Denis Landy (Labour);
An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách);
An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil);
Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil)