Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 3

Written Answers - Electoral Systems.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

83 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will give a breakdown of the percentage of people who exercised their right to vote in the referendum, European and local elections at national level and for each ward of Dublin City Council; the considerations, if any, he has given to creating an incentive to encourage people to exercise their vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18765/99]

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

The turnout nationally at the referendum on local government, the European elections and the local elections in the June 1999 polls was 50.3 per cent, 50.21 per cent and 50.88 per cent respectively. The percentage turnout at the referendum and the local elections in Dublin County Borough was 35.23 per cent and 34.8 per cent respectively while the percentage turnout at the European election for the constituency of Dublin was 36.14 per cent.

The percentage turnout for each local electoral area at the local elections to Dublin County Borough was as follows:

Local Electoral Area	% Turnout
Artane	32.60
Ballyfermot	28.53
Ballymun/Whitehall	32.74
Cabra/Glasnevin	41.22
Clontarf	41.04
Crumlin/Kimmage	34.17
Donaghmede	34.43
Finglas	38.59
North Inner City	30.56
Pembroke	36.18
Rathmines	32.63
South East Inner City	31.76
South West Inner City	30.98
Average	34.8

As evidenced by the above figures, turnout at the June polls was disappointing despite a range of pre-election measures designed to facilitate as high a turnout as possible. These included advance notice of the holding of the local elections in conjunction with the European elections; the establishment of a Referendum Commission and a publicity campaign on voter registration. There was also a vigorous campaign by political parties and candidates and a high level of informed media coverage.

In response to some of the difficulties encountered at the June polls, the Government agreed to, and my Department is currently undertaking, a review of the provision of information at referenda.

A review of the electoral system itself is currently being undertaken by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution in the context of its examination of the institutions of the State and I would hope that their report, when it is available, will provide a basis for an informed public debate on our electoral system and the scope for reform.