Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While some might say we are being repetitive in our discussions on this issue, this has been our first opportunity to meet an expert on data protection. We are getting new information every day.

Dr. Weeks indicated that he cannot comment on the cost of the functions outlined. The reason we asked about cost is because we do not want to reinvent the good practices and expertise of local authorities. It might be expensive for a new commission to rebuild these functions from the ground up. What is the cost of the electoral register at present? Has a cost analysis being carried in respect of each local authority?

Perhaps some local authorities do this more efficiently than others. We are examining what aspects of the system can remain with local authorities and what elements have to be centralised.

Dr. Weeks wrote a paper a few years ago on the surplus votes transfer. Perhaps he could e-mail us a link to that. The individual versus house-based voting issue was raised at the previous meeting. The postal service in New Zealand is used to maintain and update the electoral register but a new postcode system is being adopted here and the postal service is being computerised. I would like to link that to matching identifiers. Mr. Lambert referred to other methods that could be used other than using PPS numbers. The use of these numbers, however, would be straightforward because everybody has one them and it would be a common link though all computer systems in every Department and local authority. I acknowledge individualised consideration has to be given to each issue in the recommendations we make. What could be used as a matching identifier other than a PPS number? Is there a data protection issue relating to linking these numbers to postcodes, which means they could not be used?

Education is a major issue and teachers would be amazed listening to us, if it was not, because the CPSE programme has a module on voter education. There are other good modules in this regard, which are delivered regularly as part of the continuing professional development for teachers. They relate to how to vote, postal voting, the mechanics of voting, and the single transferable vote and how it works. Schools are doing a little but they could and should do more. Perhaps there should be an exam question on voting because it is an important element of the CPSE.

Accountability for costs should be transferred to the electoral commission. I was a local authority member for 20 years and all local authorities now have computerised systems. We could get registration right if it was linked to the births, marriages and deaths register. On the day of the election, the major problem is administration and the significant staff complement required. We do not want to throw out the baby with the bath water.

Reference was made to the lack of a requirement to de-register before registering in another county. It should be an offence to register twice because it is fraud. For example, it is an offence in Australia not to vote.