Dail Debate on Weekend voting

You can sign the petition here Currently1152 signatures including Fianna Fail big wig Senator Mary O’Rourke who issued support in the Seanad previously.

The Dail Debated the weekend voting bill again last night. Again the same fuck up was made. This time by Sinn Fein. You should read the debate it is interesting to see what politican’s actually think about stuff. For instance the government’s arguement centers around Dublin people going home at weekends. As one Deputy said. “This is not only about the Dubs” The best quote is below fold. The vote was lost. Tá, 43; Níl, 61. You can see who voted yes and no. Here Please check the list and if any of these people come to your door ask them. Why they want to stop people voting.

Mr. Hayes

Last night I canvassed 100 households in my constituency of Tipperary South. I noted in excess of 20 of those houses where people expressed the wish for the election to be held on a Friday evening or a Saturday. This is rural Ireland, rural County Tipperary. People are working in Cork and in Dublin on building sites. There is no third-level college in our constituency so all students must leave and the Government is disenfranchising them. This is one practical reason a Friday or a Saturday should be chosen.

The by-election which led to my becoming a Member of the House was held on a Saturday. Since 2000, there have been two by-elections in south Tipperary - one was held mid-week and the other on a Saturday - and local elections were also held. These elections all took place within a short period and there was a higher turnout at the by-election held on the Saturday. It is unfair of Government representatives to state that the turnout at elections held on weekdays is higher. I plead with the Government to listen to the people who are stating that they want the election to be held on a Friday or a Saturday.

As already stated, many people work in Dublin or on building sites throughout the country and they only return home at weekends. People in Ireland have a major interest in both politics and the outcome of the forthcoming election. There are issues in respect of which they will engage in debate with one on the doorstep and with regard to which they wish to make decisions. There are people who want to vote for the Government because they believe it has brought about a great deal of prosperity. Likewise, there are those who want to vote for parties on this side of the House because they believe that this Administration has made a mess of things.

Everyone in this country should be given an opportunity to vote. It is five years since a general election was held and, following the impending poll, it will probably be a further five years before another is held. In a ten-year period, therefore, people will have few opportunities to vote. It is disingenuous of Government spokespersons to state that the Administration will facilitate the electorate by holding the election on a weekday.

As already stated, the by-election which led to my becoming a Member of the Dáil was held on a Saturday. Many people returned home to the constituency from Dublin and elsewhere for the weekend, voted on the Saturday and attended the Munster final involving Tipperary and Limerick on the Sunday.

I implore the Government to give way on this issue and provide people with the opportunity to vote in the election by holding it on a Saturday.