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Niall Carson

Future Irish elections and referendums will be overseen by a new Electoral Commission

A public consultation on what structure and responsibilities the Commission will have has been launched today.

THE GOVERNMENT IS to establish an independent Electoral Commission to oversee future elections and referendums. 

The setting up of an Electoral Commission has been mooted for some time by the government, with the Referendum Commission recommending a permanent body be set up in each of its reports.

A public consultation on what structure and responsibilities the Commission will have has been launched today. 

An Oireachtas Committee in 2016 recommended that the new Commission would take charge of key functions such as the oversight of elections and referendums, the register of political parties and the register of electors, as well as the monitoring of political spending and donations and election spending. 

It is envisaged that the role of the Standards in Public Office (Sipo), as well as the Referendum Commission, will be folded into the new Commission. 

“Up there with Seanad reform, this is a chestnut that needs to be grasped,” said Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform John Paul Phelan.

The minister said four options are up for consideration:

  • the first – that there be no change;
  • the second option – that the Commission is initially set up on a non-statutory basis;
  • and the third option – that the government opts to establish it on a full statutory basis giving it limited powers.
  • The fourth option is for a full statutory body with all functions transferred over. 

The estimated costs for these proposals ranges from €3.3 million up front, with additional yearly costs of 1.8 million to €2 million each year. This cost does not include the funding that is already dedicated to Sipo, as well as the Referendum Commission, which would be folded into the Commission. 

The minister said the new agency would have a role to play in setting the standards for online political adverts. It would also carry out national research into all elections and referendums held in Ireland. 

The public consultation is open until 15 March, with a report due after three months. 

Depending what option is selected, it’s predicted the roll out of such a Commission could take up to two years as legislation will need to be drafted and passed.

The minister said he hopes that the non-statutory body could be set up in 2019, with laws to follow to put it on a statutory basis afterwards, adding that reports about such a move have recommended that any changes be brought in on a phased basis, so as not to undermine the trust people have in the electoral system. 

The latest report on changes also suggests that the 1997 legislation which governs the logging of politicians interests, such as property and shares, should be reviewed.

Sipo has made similar recommendations that the law should be reviewed and updated, and this is something the new Commission could carry out, added the minister.

The public consultation on the new Commission is open until 15 March. 

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Dec 27th 2018, 7:57 AM

    Another Quango with all the usual faces after consultancy companies are paid millions.

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Dec 27th 2018, 9:43 AM

    @Martin Sinnott: you can see the future? Cool. Give us the winning Lotto numbers!

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    Mute Sarah
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    Dec 27th 2018, 11:03 AM

    @Chin Feeyin: He’s just making an educated guess I’d wager. Almost certainly right about it too….

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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Dec 27th 2018, 8:02 AM

    How convenient for FF and FG, hand picked by themselves no doubt, similar to the counting stations.

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Dec 27th 2018, 7:55 AM

    another quango, another job for Leo’s boys

    136
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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Dec 27th 2018, 10:11 AM

    @Fear Uisce: well, it’s a public consultation, so get out your crayons and start writing.

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    Mute prop joe
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    Dec 27th 2018, 8:49 AM

    This has corruption written all over it. Make the system over bureaucratic to squeeze out smaller parties and censor political opponents.

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    Mute Willy Mc Caul
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    Dec 27th 2018, 9:44 AM

    FFG want total control..

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    Mute Adrian
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    Dec 27th 2018, 9:53 AM

    We know from experience that anything “independent” thats set up by our govs is really not independent at all.

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    Mute Gerard Heery
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    Dec 27th 2018, 9:28 AM

    Dictatorship on the cards by the looks of it ,never needed any one to overlook the elections since Bertie’s s voting machines and look at the mess and cost entailed

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 27th 2018, 6:15 PM

    @Gerard Heery: F.G. is learning using the film, The rise and rise of Michael Rimmer, as a guide?

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Dec 27th 2018, 10:11 AM

    What a joke.

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    Mute Ianmoone
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    Dec 27th 2018, 10:41 AM

    More money down the drain for the EU and our globalist politicians to decide if our answer fits with theirs.

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    Mute paul kelly
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    Dec 27th 2018, 9:08 AM

    Along with using pps numbers this will stop the “home to vote” group.

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    Mute John Flood
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    Dec 27th 2018, 8:42 AM

    Perhaps some good could come from this like “vote by mail”, early voting, and voting on weekends.

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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Dec 27th 2018, 9:06 AM

    @John Flood: it’s Ireland so I doubt it.

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    Mute Niall
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    Dec 27th 2018, 10:41 AM

    some comments on here really crack me up!! Hilarious!!

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    Mute Fergus Robson
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    Dec 27th 2018, 10:52 AM

    @Niall: literally all the swivel-eyes have come out for this one. Remarkable really the extent of uncomprehending hostility they exhibit while remaining almost totally clueless about the political and electoral process and why this is a positive change.

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Dec 27th 2018, 12:41 PM

    @Fergus Robson: and most of them too young to vote!

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    Mute Frank McGlynn
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    Dec 27th 2018, 2:40 PM

    The role of the State in our democracy should be absolutely neutral as regards policies and parties. Funding for political parties favours the insiders i.e. the existing parties and puts new emerging parties at a disadvantage.

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    Mute marydebbie
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    Dec 27th 2018, 1:27 PM

    Like the ‘true results’ of the abortion referendum!!!!! Shower of liars :(

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 27th 2018, 6:14 PM

    Why???

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