Mr. Joseph Nugent:

The Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, the County and City Management Association, CCMA, and local authorities generally are appreciative of the opportunity to make a submission on the Government’s consultation paper on the establishment of an electoral commission in Ireland. I am joined by Mr. Conn Murray, chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, and Mr. Vincent Norton, executive manager in the office of the CEO of Dublin City Council. We intend to refer to the submissions we have made but also to that made by Deputy City Council on this issue.

As members are aware, local authorities have played a key role in the operation of the electoral system since the foundation of the State. The extensive knowledge and experience of local authorities, built up over so many years, are key elements in maintaining trust in the electoral processes. Members are well aware of the primary responsibilities of local authorities for, among other things, the maintenance of the electoral register, running local elections and the regulation of election spending at local level. Of most significance are the continued activities of local authorities in providing the direct and tangible link on the ground between the electorate and the voter and the electoral process as a whole. This local presence is a very significant factor in demonstrating the openness and transparency of the process, to which reference has been made, leading to the very high level of confidence of all stakeholders in the electoral system. Based on the experience of previous electoral change, the LGMA, the CCMA and local authorities are of the view that this continued local link is essential to maintain the public trust in the electoral system. In our written submission we proposed that the primary focus of an electoral commission be in the areas of electoral policy; oversight and audit; and promoting and maintaining confidence in the electoral system as a whole. We are also of the view that responsibility for the delivery of the operational aspects of the election process should be vested in the local authority system, where the foundations of a thriving functioning system of local democracy provide confidence in the electoral system in an individual's own area, consistent with the Government's policy document, Putting People First, which affirms local government as the primary means of providing public services at local level.

The joint committee heard last week about the operation of the register of electors. Whereas there has been a general discussion about the register, there are, in effect, 31 separate and unconnected registers that are maintained by separate local registration authorities. The local authority sector has improved the customer service experience of the registration process through the delivery of a national register portal, www.checktheregister.ie., but this merely provides a single point of contact to the separate registers. For many years those involved in the local authority sector have been consistent in the view that improvements can be made and the removal of legislative barriers would facilitate significant improvements to the registration process through the establishment of a single national register of electors database, with the PPSN used as the unique identifier for electors; moving the register process from one static in nature to a rolling register, thereby removing the current annual deadline requirements; the new register to deliver online services, allowing electors to manage their personal electoral information, including on registration, address changes, etc.; the online process to streamline and simplify the current application procedures and forms and also provide opportunities to deliver contact details to electors for polling stations and the potential for transmission of polling cards electronically, where sought; and the delivery of a range of services for others authorised to access the register, including the development of a portal for returning officers to facilitate the printing of polling station books for election day; a portal for political parties to access local register data for individual areas and the Courts Service to meet jury service requirements.

Consistent with Government policy determining local authorities as the focal point for delivering services locally, the sector believes it can efficiently deliver the operational aspects of the electoral process within the policy parameters established by any new electoral commission. Additionally, with the enactment of necessary legislation in respect of the compilation of the electoral register, the local authority sector believes significant efficiencies can be delivered in the related processes.

At times, we take our electoral system for granted and, at times, when we reasonably criticise and call for changes, we ignore that, in general terms, the system works. There would, therefore, be a major risk in taking a big bang approach. We believe change should be made through a series of small developments within the framework of an agreed programme of transformation. Our democracy works on the back of public trust, and open debate on change of the type taking place here today should be encouraged. This consultative process is warmly welcome. We are happy to take further questions in this regard.