Mr. Dale Sunderland:

I will speak first for the Data Protection Commission. My thanks to Deputy Gould for his questions. He mentioned the accuracy and integrity of the database. These are absolutely essential. That is in part what the proposed Bill is trying to achieve. I note that the Eircode system is in scope and is also a part of the data that may be collected. That is another element that the Department is suggesting may serve to help accuracy around the register.

Deputy Gould rightly suggested other data sets that other Departments may have to populate in some way the register and ensure its accuracy. That is a potentially conceivable solution but it raises other risks. We would need to set out explicitly in legislation how that would be done and what would be the uses of such data.

We also have to acknowledge that some individuals do not wish to be on the electoral register. That is a right people have. People may choose to participate in the democratic process or otherwise.

The issue for us involves looking at what is in place already, what is being added and how all of that will be addressed. The idea is to ensure the current registers are brought together into the central register and augmented with further data. This must be done in a data protection compliant way. That is why we suggested it may be useful for the Department and the committee to look at whether any further provisions would be required to help update the current registers when it comes to the enactment of the Bill. When Department officials were before the committee they referred to a public awareness campaign. I do not have any particular comment on that but it may be well worth considering, rather than simply relying on the broad data sharing provisions in the proposed Bill. It could be set out more explicitly in legislation how exactly the current registers will be enhanced. I am referring to people who are already registered as well as new additions to the register. I am unsure whether I have really answered the Deputy's questions but I am happy to respond again if he wishes.