Speeches
Electoral System Adjournment Debate Speech on 26th October 2005
^^ Electoral System.
Adjournment Debate in Dáil 26th Octdober 2005 - Fiona O’Malley TD
I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for choosing this topic for the Adjournment debate. The report of the Democracy Commission, published today and entitled Engaging Citizens, describes itself as a "timely audit of the state of democracy in Ireland". Indeed, it is timely, given that it is 18 months until the next general election and this report asks us, as the people who will run that election, what we can do to engage citizens and make democracy more relevant to them.
The commission recommends the introduction of a system of automatic registration based on PPS numbers. The PPS number is an individual, unique identity which every citizen receives. This would ensure 100% accuracy. Only people with PPS numbers should be represented on the electoral register. I have heard the Minister indicate that there are obstacles to such a system, including data protection issues, but such obstacles can be surmounted. Data protection should not stand in the way of an individual's fundamental right to vote. We must recognise which right should take precedence. I urge the Minister to consider introducing such a system because accuracy is what elections are all about and is vitally important.