What about the question on the level of qualification?

Minister-----

It seems to me that the reason for the narrowness of the interpretation of "graduate" relates largely to the size of the constituency that will already flow from the definitions put forward in section 3 but, of course, the Seanad Bill 2020 addressed this issue. We will have a situation where six seats will be elected by a potential constituency of up to a million electors, as was highlighted by the Minister - the figure he suggested was around 900,000 - while 43 seats are elected by a constituency in the hundreds. …

I move amendment No. 14: In page 7, line 28, after "entitled" to insert "and registered". Amendments Nos. 14, 22 and 61, and indeed some other amendments that will be ruled out of order, relate to the transitional arrangements for the creation of the new register and the danger that its creation may lead to the disenfranchisement of many who are currently entitled to vote. It would be a really poor reflection on us, in light of the demand for the expansion of the franchise from about 1979 and including 2013, which …

A reduction in the register is perhaps a better way to put it.

I thank the Minister for his comments on amendment No. 22. As I said, it is not something that is contained within the Bill. I will take the bona fides of the Minister regarding the intention in respect of contact. That is going to be crucial. As the Minister will be aware, the other amendments and proposals we have made in this area were not solely for the full transfer of the NUI and TCD registers. I also made proposals in respect of the transfer of those who have voted in the last one, two or three elections. I …

I move amendment No. 22: In page 8, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “(4) During preparations under subsection (3) , the central registration authority shall contact all persons registered as electors in the former National University constituency and former Dublin University constituency to seek consent for their inclusion in the first register of electors.”.

I have spoken to the issues already and I will not repeat them at length. My concern relates to the proposals I put forward on carrying forward those who are currently on the register, such as those who voted in the past one, two or three elections. As I said, the Minister and I disagree on that matter and I am noting that.

These are the same principles. I believe in how it is worded that it could be carried through in that persons who had registered to vote would be considered as having made a claim to register to vote in the new higher education constituency. While I recognise it is a new constituency, it is not simply a matter of merging the two but, rather, that as the beginning point for the new constituency those who have registered to vote prior to next January would be considered to have made a claim to vote, provided that per…

I have been reminded of one amendment, namely, amendment No. 61, which may have fallen between the stools when the Minister was addressing the others. It will be coming up shortly. One area that does not arise is the idea of the automatic transfer. This is no longer about the NUI or TCD constituencies, but whether, for all the institutions covered by this new constituency, the practice will be what was the practice previously, whereby there is opportunity for automatic enrolment upon graduation. My amendment No. 61…

I move amendment No. 32: In page 15, to delete lines 20 and 21 and substitute the following: “(a) 3 persons from amongst persons nominated by each designated institution for that purpose; (b) 1 person from amongst persons nominated by student unions of each designated institution for that purpose;”. I will be brief because we have a number of amendments to get through. The Bill specifies four persons "nominated by each designated institution". Of course, "nominated by each designated institution" and by the corpora…

There probably are key competencies that students can bring in terms of what will or will not be effective in encouraging persons to exercise their franchise. I doubt there is any marketing expert who can compare with what the student unions often have to bring in terms of engaging that constituency. Sadly, this is an area in respect of which a signal is needed centrally because without that kind of national signal, I doubt that many of the higher education institutions will, in fact, nominate a student. I hope tha…

I thank the Minister. I think we have the same intent. Nonetheless, I will press the amendment.

I move amendment No. 33: In page 15, to delete lines 20 and 21 and substitute the following: “(a) 2 persons from amongst persons nominated by each designated institution for that purpose; (b) 1 person from amongst persons nominated by student unions of each designated institution for that purpose; (c) 1 person from amongst persons nominated by trade unions representing staff employed by each designated institution for that purpose;”.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 16, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(d) the level of participation in elections in the Higher Education constituency, including the collection of quantitative and qualitative data in relation to voters and their preferences,”. Again, I will be quite brief because we still have a number of amendments to get through. The amendment relates to what the Minister has been discussing, namely, the potential role of the Electoral Commission. The role as initially envisaged…

I move amendment No. 38: In page 16, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “(2) The Commission shall, after each electoral event to which this Act applies, prepare and publish (in such a manner as the Commission may determine) a report on the administration of the electoral event concerned. (3) Where the Commission prepares a report under subsection (2), the report shall be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and a copy of the report shall be provided to the Minister no later than 6 m…

I move amendment No. 39: In page 16, line 38, after “register” to insert “including measures to increase the level of voter registration in the Higher Education constituency, including a mechanism for the automatic enrolment of qualified new graduates of designated institutions in the register of electors”.

I will be very brief on the section to discuss those amendments. I will come to the issues with section 40, but these were technical amendments on the key issues in section 40 which concern the new proposals for a replacement list system. This is a fundamental problem with the Bill which I really urge the Minister to address. It is a fundamental step back for democracy. We know that, under the Constitution, all university Senators must be elected. The list system as proposed would allow for a situation where if I h…

To add another specific concern on section 40, there is a question of who is electing in terms of the Oireachtas. There is also the fundamental question of allowing the full constituency to have the opportunity in relation to a by-election or a casual vacancy. There is also the fundamental question of who is eligible for consideration for election and that is where a situation arises where you have a narrowed pool of persons considered, including persons who were not selected by others. As I said, the idea of takin…

I move amendment No. 43: In page 23, line 19, to delete “60” and substitute “8”. Amendments Nos. 43, 47 and 50 all relate to the fact we are making the bar for the person standing for election to the Seanad higher. As I say, the electoral process is not just those who vote, it is those who stand. The bar has been raised to a different degree so instead, I suggest a reversal to the current status. It should not be harder for someone to run for the Seanad elections than it is currently and under this Bill it will be.…