Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The delegates are very welcome. I support what previous speakers said about PPS numbers. I have raised both here and in the Dáil the issue of abuse concerning draft electoral registers. At the last local elections in my constituency quite a number of people who were registered were not living in the country.

The draft register arrived at very late stage. These people who were working in Canada, the US, Australia and various other places were on the register. Certain people examined the matter closely to ensure they did not vote. In the past, rate collectors looked at this. I know it has been said that the system is different in Dublin but it is very difficult in the country to know who is on the register. It is vitally important.

I represent Sligo-North Leitrim. This constituency will now include Sligo, Leitrim, west Cavan and south Donegal. After the next election, I will, hopefully, be representing four counties. There is no justification for splitting because I have seen what has happened in Leitrim over the years. There has been a history there over the years because it was suitable for the constituency to be broken up, regardless of whether part of it went to Roscommon and the other part went to Sligo. All of Leitrim is now back in the constituency but it also includes west Cavan and south Donegal. These people feel that they are totally disenfranchised by being put in a different constituency. It is also very difficult for us as public representatives. Could the witnesses give us their comments on that?

It is vitally important that the draft register be examined as well because significant abuses are occurring. Deputy Troy mentioned a person voting on nine occasions. It is our business as public representatives to see that people are registered. The problem is that come election day, people who want to vote are not on the register.