Mr. Darragh McShea:

I replied to Senator Boyhan earlier and confirmed that in the most recent elections, we have not requested the marked registers. There could be a role for the marked registers from the point of view of needing transparency. People need to know the pattern of people turning out to vote. There could be a role with people openly being able to see that, in certain polling stations, there has not been 100% turnout and that, in other areas, there is no turnout. It is important that people are able to see the marked register. The problem arises where the marked register is then collated and compared with other data and information, where it can then be used and effectively turned into an electioneering tool. I stated the register of electors has an important role for our democracy. Every person going forward for election should have an entitlement to know the potential electors. I do not think anyone would disagree with that. That is part of democracy. What happens is that-----