It could be argued that the deli-counter has become an effective metaphor for the state of political debate in modern-day Ireland.

They are crowded places, they offer plenty of choice, and the consumers order pretty much what they want. For the more adventurous eaters there are endless combinations of breads, meats, sauces and salads they can try.

Those with a more conservative pallet can keep things as plain and simple as they choose.

This type of pick-and-choose à la carte approach is fine when it comes to deciding what you are going to have in your sandwich roll, or perhaps what series you are going to binge-watch next on Netflix. However, Irish people seem to have adopted the approach to other areas of life where more input and voices are surely required.

The campaign around one of the most divisive issues of modern times, the eighth amendment referendum, is heating up fervently. Although the date of the vote was only recently announced, the subject has been in the public eye for what seems like an age now.

The referendum has sparked political interest into life, it has been the subject of numerous rallies and debates, it has been argued about during countless hours of radio segments and has had hundreds of newspaper column inches devoted to it. Social media users have been expressing their opinions by posting online, adding slogans to their profile pictures, uploading screen shots of their intentions to fly home from abroad to vote etc.

In short, it matches the EEC referendum as one of the biggest political campaign since the foundation of the State.

Given what is at stake, that is no surprise, and people are rightly getting out to exercise their democratic rights and have their voices heard.

This particular referendum could be described as the chicken fillet of the deli-counter: the ingredient that almost everybody picks and wants a part of.

However just as there are other parts to a roll than the fillet, there are other parts to a democratic society and social culture than one referendum.

The various campaigns held over the last decade are the political equivalent of olives in your baguette or brown sauce on your burger - not everyone is interested in them, but they could play an important part of something bigger.

The last general election came at a critical juncture as Ireland emerged from the shadow of a recession which brought the country to its knees.

I don’t remember too many rallies during the build-up to the 2016 vote, or people jetting home from abroad to let their voice be heard. In fact, a significant amount of people didn’t show enough interest to stray from the humdrum daily lives to vote and help decide who would lead the country for the next five years.

This is evidenced by the low voter turnout of 65.2 per cent which was down from the 70.1 per cent seen in 2011.

It’s fair to say the general public wasn’t too bothered by the 2014 local elections either, as it saw the second worst turnout in its history with 51.6 per cent of people filling in the ballot paper.

Various other referendums held over the last decade, such the Children’s Rights referendum of 2012 also saw a shockingly low turnout of just 33.5 per cent. Even the same-sex marriage referendum of 2015, for all its out pouring of emotion could only muster up a turnout of 60.5 per cent.

So that’s the problem. What’s the solution? Simple, get out and engage in political discussion. You don’t have to take over the GPO or go on hunger strike or even imprison a politician in their car to get involved. All it takes is open and honest discussion. If you hear something you don’t like, speak up. If there are potholes on your road or a lack of facilities for your kids in your estate, let your councillor or TD know.

And if they show an interest in you - vote for them. If you don’t like how things are being done - speak up. And, if needs be, vote for a different candidate than last time.

Taking to the streets, calling liveline and using catchy hashtags is all well-and-good, but not trying to dictate the political agenda or worse, failing to show up on the day, is the political equivalent of having a roll with no filling - it might be enough to keep hunger at bay but it will be bland, tasteless and not good for your long-term health.

Michael Keaveny is currently completing a MA in Journalism and Media Communications in Griffith College in Dublin.