asked the Minister for the Environment if he will initiate discussions with other party leaders on reforms in the electoral system.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Electoral Reform.
19.
As the House is aware, the electoral code is contained partly in the Constitution and partly in ordinary legislation. In regard to reform in the constitutional provisions, I would refer the Deputy to the statement made by the Taoiseach in reply to a question in the House on 24 March. It will be recalled that the Taoiseach indicated that if there were a general view among the parties that constitutional reform should be engaged in, he would be prepared to enter into discussions about the mechanism which might be established to look at this matter. The Taoiseach made it clear that this applied to the electoral provisions as well as other aspects of the Constitution.
In regard to electoral procedures, which are governed by ordinary law, there are some detailed aspects which I would like to see improved, notably the register of electors, and I would hope to turn my attention to that matter in due course.
Lest the Minister be consumed with megalomania and his leader be fearful of his back, the strange wording of the question is explained by the fact that it was addressed to the Taoiseach and transferred to the Minister. It is not intended to convey that the Minister is leading his party. The question refers to the other party leaders——
What is the point?
The point is the Deputy is not the party leader but the question was originally addressed to the Taoiseach. Is the Minister aware that there is a set of detailed proposals regarding reform of the electoral legislation in his Department? Is it his intention to bring those proposals before the Government and, in due course, the House by way of legislation?
The Taoiseach issued a useful invitation and I am sure the other parties would like to consider it. In the light of the Taoiseach's invitation, perhaps that meeting will take place. In 1959 and 1968 there was no cross party support for the referenda dealing with the electoral system but, perhaps, since the party leaders can now agree on some matters dealing with that aspect of reform, it might get a good hearing across the House.
Is the Minister aware of the statement issued by the previous Government at the time of the establishment of the Boundaries Commission which adverted to possible reforms in the electoral system and the desire of the Government to have such reforms discussed by the body politick generally?
I am aware of the statement referred to by the Deputy.
In the light of that statement, perhaps the Minister would consider initiating the discussions which are suggested in this question and which were implicit in that statement.
Perhaps it might be better to have it considered by the parties and, if they are interested in taking up the Taoiseach's invitation to join talks on these and other related matters, it could well be included on the agenda.
We now move to Question No. 55, a question nominated for priority in the name of Deputy Gay Mitchell.