Fifth Meeting - 5pm on 10th July 2018 Private Dining Room, Leinster House In attendance: Chair Senator Michael McDowell SC, Senator Alice Mary Higgins, Senator Fintan Warfield, Senator Gabrielle McFadden, Senator Grace O’Sullivan, Senator Ivana Bacik, Senator Jerry Buttimer, Senator Maria Byrne, Senator Paddy Burke, Secretariat, Department of the Taoiseach: Síle de Búrca, Elizabeth Lyne Invited Experts: Franchise Section DHPLG (Fiona Quinn, Barry Ryan, Mairead Ryan), Dr. Maurice Manning, Mr. Joe O’Toole Apologies Dr. Brian Hunt, Jack Chambers TD, Senator Ned O'Sullivan, Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, Shane Cassells TD, Shane Ross TD, Tommy Broughan TD Minutes 1. Minutes from 4th meeting agreed with 1 minor amendment. 2. The Chair introduced the invited experts: Franchise Section DHPLG, Dr Manning and Mr. O’Toole. 3. The Franchise Section discussed work underway on electoral reform including the forthcoming referendum on presidential elections and the Programme for Government commitment on the establishment of an Electoral Commission. While it was acknowledged that the role of the Franchise section on Seanad Elections is limited, it was noted there is strong potential for cross-over with the Group’s work. It was advised there is considerable benefit to ensuring proposals developed by the Group are transferable and modular to the other proposed electoral reforms. 4. It was agreed by all present that the Group’s final recommendations and legislation should be produced in alignment with the Franchise Section’s work. With this in mind, the Chair will ask Brian Hunt to draft a modular bill that could be enacted in parts. 5. Both Dr Manning and Mr O’Toole contributed their expertise and experience throughout discussions, particularly in respect of discussion on voluntary registration processes, the security of online voting versus postal voting, and implementation timeframes. Mr O’Toole in particular noted a previous recommendation he made on a combined approach to electronic/postal voting. 6. Senator Higgins noted it would be useful to have a definition of ‘post’, as it is understand in the context of postal votes and voting abroad. 7. In respect of discussion on Seanad electoral registers, the option of a centralised senate electoral office that would manage and compile an electoral registers for universities and panels was noted by the Chair, although the efficiency and feasibility of such a proposal was questioned. 8. The Franchise Section noted it would be useful to look at options pursued in other countries and recommended the Group consider their Options Paper on Presidential Elections. 9. The Chair requested Dr Manning and the Franchise Section to return in the autumn. Next meeting 11th September 2018 (time TBC) [THIS NOW TO BE CHANGED TO 12 SEPTEMBER] Experts: Theresa Reidy and Jane Suiter will be asked to present a paper. Agenda:for next meeting will be circulated on Friday 7th September 2018. .