I want to reply to the various points that have been made. I agree that graduates should not have a privilege over others to vote. The proposals we put forward from the implementation group sought, as far as possible without constitutional referendum, to ensure we would widen university franchise to all graduates, not just those with a degree but those with a diploma as well. That was widening it as far as is possible within the requirement on graduates in the Constitution. However, as was well put by Senator Gavan…

I move amendment No. 14: In page 31, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(i) to undertake the wholesale review of the Electoral Act 1997, including, inter alia, its provisions regarding political funding.”.

I move amendment No. 15: In page 31, line 18, after “publish” to insert “in plain language”.

I move amendment No. 16: In page 31, line 20, after “of” to insert “print media such as newspapers,”.

I move amendment No. 17: In page 31, line 22, to delete “as far as practicable”.

I move amendment No. 18: In page 42, lines 26 and 27, to delete all words from and including “(1) The” in line 26 down to and including line 27 and substitute the following: “(1) The Registrar shall maintain the Register of Political Parties and shall cause it to be published on the Commission’s website.”.

These proposals mirror amendments put forward by our group and the Labour Party on Committee Stage. The Minister of State will recall there was strong agreement across the House in respect of the principle of these amendments. Amendment No. 18 proposes that there would be a register of political parties, that it would be published on the commission’s website and published in an accessible format. Amendment No. 19 also addresses an important aspect for which there was strong support in the House from Government and …

I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 20: In page 42, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(2) The Registrar shall publish, on an annual basis, a copy of the Register of Political Parties in an accessible format on a website maintained by the Commission.”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 44, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(iii) the constituencies for the election of members of Seanad Éireann.”.

I move amendment No. 24: In page 45, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: "(4) When preparing a report under subsection (1)(a)(iii) , the Commission shall have regard to the following: (a) any alterations to the electoral franchise for a constituency of Seanad Éireann; and (b) any alterations to the criteria by which the Taoiseach may nominate a person as a member of Seanad Éireann.".

I will first speak briefly to Senator Moynihan's amendments, which I support. I have participated in both Seanad and European Parliament elections. Sometimes the rules seem to be made up almost each time regarding how to approach the issues of broadcast time and so forth, so the concept of best standards in that is a very good idea. The Minister of State will also be aware that we strongly support the proposals for the lowering of the voting age. My colleague and others, along with the legislation sponsored by Sena…

I move amendment No. 28: In page 48, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “(2) The Commission shall include, as a programme under subsection (1) , the subject of gender quotas at local elections, with the objective of making recommendations to the Minister outlining how this can be achieved.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 48, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “(2) The Commission shall include, as a programme under subsection (1), the subject of participation in elections, with particular regard to participation by— (a) women, (b) persons with a disability, (c) persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, (d) persons from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, (e) Travellers and persons from other ethnic minority backgrounds, (f) persons under the age of 25, and …

I move amendment No. 30: In page 49, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(3) The Commission may develop educational and information programmes for primary,secondary and third-level students for the purposes of the promotion and understanding of the State’s electoral systems and to encourage students to vote at electoral events throughout their life.”.

I will truncate my comments on the amendments and would appreciate if the Minister of State could be as brief as possible also because I want to make progress. I deeply regret and deplore the fact that a Bill on the electoral system is being guillotined. That matter is not something within my reach, but I do want to try to progress through as many of the policy points as possible. Amendments Nos. 30 to 31 relate to information programmes and educational programmes, which were highlighted. Amendment No. 30 relates t…

Given that the Minister of State has indicated a willingness to engage on the question of participation, I am not going to move the amendment at this time but I indicate to him that it is an issue on which I intend to follow up directly.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 50, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Electoral Register for Seanad Éireann 69. (1) A register of persons for the time being entitled to vote in every Seanad general election shall be established and maintained by the Commission. (2) In respect of the persons who are registered to vote in a Seanad general election, the electoral register shall record the details mentioned in subsection (3) and shall be divided into four divisions as follows— (a) Division 1 – Registe…

I move amendment No. 36: In page 50, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Report on reform of electoral franchise for Seanad Éireann 69. The Minister shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the measures that have been taken to reform— (a) the electoral franchise for the vocational panels of Seanad Éireann, (b) the electoral franchise for the university constituencies of Seanad Éireann, and (c) the criteria applied to the nominatio…

Amendment No. 33 is not listed on this-----