Vol. 483 No. 3
38 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has examined the reason a considerable number of voters are not receiving polling cards at election time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20054/97]
Electoral and referendum law requires the local returning officer to send a polling information card to each elector at a presidential, Dáil and European election and at a referendum. I have no information to suggest that the local returning officers are not complying with this statutory requirement.
39 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he intends to undertake a review of the arrangements for polling, covering such matters as the day on which polling is held, the hours the polling stations are open, the accuracy of the electoral register and the adequacy of current arrangements for postal voting in view of the poor voter turnout at the recent Presidential election and the generally declining voter turnout at recent elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/97]
45 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce legislation preventing the holding of a Constitutional referendum on the same day as an election for public office in view of the dismal response from the citizens of Ireland to the Constitutional amendment referendum held on 30 October 1997. [18900/97]
84 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the establishment of an all party Oireachtas committee to investigate the reason for the low turnout in recent national elections; if he will give details of the strategies, if any, designed to encourage greater voter turnout; his views on examining the way in which other countries have addressed this issue in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20219/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 45 and 84 together. Under the electoral law, provision is made for the holding of two or more polls in respect of elections or referenda to be held on the same day. I have no proposals to amend the law to restrict the number of polls which may be taken together.
Under electoral and referendum law, it is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to appoint the polling day at an election or referendum. The law provides that any day of the week may be appointed as polling day and that polling shall continue for a period of at least 12 hours, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. I have no proposal to restrict the discretion of the Minister as to the day or hours of polling which may be appointed at an election or referendum. The current legislation allows for decisions to be taken in each case having regard to all the constitutional and statutory requirements concerned.
I am anxious that the register of electors used at any poll should be as accurate as possible. Changes to the law relating to the registration of electors in recent years have helped to improve its accuracy. The changes include the provision for the entry of persons who are omitted from the original register onto to a supplement to the register during the currency of that register.
There were also changes to the arrangements relating to postal voting operating for the first time at the recent election and referendum. Under these changes new categories of electors are entitled to apply for entry in the postal voters list and to vote by post. Any person who, because of the circumstances of his or her occupation, service or employment, is unlikely to be able to vote in person at the polling station is now eligible for entry in the postal voters' list and to vote by post. Third level students, living at an address other than that at which they are registered, qualify for entry in the postal voters' list. In addition, the law also allows certain electors to apply for entry in a supplement to the postal voters' list during the lifetime of a register of electors.
While voter turnout has been declining in recent years, it is difficult to establish the precise reasons which can vary for each individual. I do not consider that it generally has much to do with choice of day, hours of polling, etc. as no matter what day is chosen, it will not suit everybody. It is a matter which affects other democracies, not just Ireland, and requires detailed consideration. I will keep it under review and welcome suggestions from Deputies which might improve the turnout at future elections/referenda.
