Electoral register interference concerns
Deputy Mattie McGrath alleged unfair use of airtime, interference with the electoral register, and improper campaigning around the referendum, prompting repeated chair interventions. The Minister for Housing rejected any undermining of the electoral process, said registration involves verification, and offered to have any evidence investigated.
I wish to ask about the Bill being debated last night that fell in disarray. With the new coalition we appear to have this morning and also the question of the broadcasting Act, the Government is using the airtime unfairly. All the party leaders are begging, literally grovelling, to make people vote "Yes".
This is despicable. It is a new coalition. Why could we let Bills fall, as happened last night-----
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It is promised legislation. I have asked the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, on three occasions about interference. The Taoiseach actually welcomed the fact that 150,000 have been registered. I implore everyone to vote but I have emails from people all over the country who have been registered in Dublin when they have registered in Mayo, Cork and different places and they did not ask to be registered here. There were French students, as I said yesterday, and I had Majella on to me this morning from Mayo. She was registered in Mayo, and I have confirmation of that, and she is now registered in Dublin, without asking or inquiring. There are irregularities. It is illegal, putting people on, but the Minister just smiles. I have written twice to him and he has not responded. The integrity of the whole system will be called into question.
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Are we going to have to get international observers to come in to ensure it is done right? They are all so desperate for a "Yes" vote that it is quite sickening to see it.
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They will allow anything to go on. The Minister, Deputy Harris, will canvass with Colm O'Gorman, who is outside of the law.
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RTÉ last night was not allowed put on Maria Steen because the Minister, Deputy Harris, was afraid to debate with her. That is what happened. The interference is sickening.
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Deputy McGrath, please. You are after making an accusation against somebody outside the House. You said the person is outside the law.
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It is not appropriate to make an allegation here that anybody outside the House is acting outside the law.
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They can do what they like. All the political parties are in bed together.
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It sounds like he is preparing for a "Yes" vote.
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Fianna Fáil is driving the car - the second wheel.
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I thank the Deputy for the question. We have responsibilities, as Deputies in this House, not to try to undermine the integrity of our electoral process, which is very robust. Getting onto the register of electors is not a simple process and requires a number of steps, including verification from the Garda Síochána. I received the Deputy's letter. I am aware of one incident in regard to one student who was registered to vote when that person should not have been. That does not mean that person is entitled to vote; they are two different things. If the Deputy has evidence of other such cases, he should please bring them to my attention directly-----