asked the Minister for the Environment if he is prepared to consider holding the local elections and European elections which are scheduled for 1984 on a Sunday to bring them into line with continental practice and to ease the problem of people who are unable to vote during the week for reasons of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local and European Elections.
13.
Under the existing European provisions the polling day at Assembly elections is fixed by the individual member states within a particular period from Thursday to Sunday inclusive. As the Deputy is aware, proposals for a uniform electoral procedure, which may or may not involve a fixed polling day, are at present being considered. In the circumstances and as the elections are not due for more than two years, it would seem premature to take a firm position in relation to the polling day.
My question simply asked the Minister if he would be prepared to consider the item for two reasons, first to synchronise the effect of the two elections and secondly, perhaps more important, for people who are on shift work or working away from home, Sunday is a more suitable day to vote. Without prejudice to whatever final arrangement is made, will he consider what the implications in this country will be for holding such elections on a Sunday rather than on a Thursday as is the norm?
As a Deputy and as a Minister I see considerable merit in voting on a Sunday. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on a draft uniform electoral procedure on 10 March. For the information of the House I will tell what is involved. Representatives of each member state shall be elected by proportional representation on the basis of regional or national lists. Each member state shall decide how its territory is to be divided into constituencies. A member state may provide for a preferential voting system within a list. Member states shall grant a right to vote to their nationals irrespective of the place of residence. They went on to say that the election day would be either a Sunday or a Monday. The House will see that many complex questions are involved there. It has now been referred by the Council of Ministers to COREPER. A special committee has been set up on which we will have a representative from the franchise section of my Department. I assure the Deputy that I will take into account the points he has mentioned in his question.
Is it proposed at this stage or is it under consideration that the system of election to the European Parliament may be changed?
That is what I have just said. The European Parliament themselves have adopted this draft proposal which was referred to the Council of Ministers for decision. That has now been sent by the Council of Ministers to a working party. We are represented by an officer from the franchise section of my office and there are possibilities of change.
I am not clear on the answer to the last question. Have the Government a definite view on this matter as yet, and when can we expect a final report?
It was only on 26 April that the Council of Ministers decided to set up a working party and it was only in the last week or so that they started to operate. I cannot give the Deputy a time. I would be misleading him.