Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 26 together.

There is a problem in this area and not enough attention has been paid to the issue of the voting register. We have had a number of priorities in recent years. Throughout the 1990s, we had the issue of the electoral code. The expenditure and donation regime was discussed and then we discussed the voting system. There has never really been a major debate on the voting register.

The compilation and publication of the register of electors is a matter for the appropriate local authority in accordance with electoral law and includes the carrying out of house-to-house inquiries, delivery of registration forms and running local awareness campaigns. It is the duty of local authorities to ensure the accuracy of the register. In carrying out this work, local authorities depend to a significant degree on the co-operation and engagement of the public.

There have been a number of reasons put forward for the state of register. Rapid population growth and development, increased personal mobility and other changes in modern society present difficulties for the preparation of the electoral register. I do not accept that these reasons explain fully the condition of the register. In overall terms, the number of people on the register in 2002 eligible to vote at Dáil elections was 3.002 million. However, census data for 2002 indicate that there were 2.71 million voters over the age of 18 who were eligible to vote at these elections, representing a difference of 300,000. The main reasons for excess registration seem to include slowness to remove deceased persons from the register, changes of address without advising the local authority, as well as second houses.

I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register and have already mandated my Department to examine any improvements that can and should be made. There will be a national awareness campaign later this year associated with preparation of the next register of electors by local authorities. We are monitoring developments in Northern Ireland and elsewhere regarding best practice on electoral registration. In terms of the voting process, we have introduced important new controls in recent times. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2002 contains more stringent requirements for entry to the supplement to the register. In the 2002 general election, polling staff were advised by the Department to require at least 25% of voters to produce an identity document. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 made unlawful possession or use of someone else's polling card a specific offence. Strong legislation must be mirrored locally by vigilance on the part of polling staff.

There is a problem in this area which, as I have already mentioned to a number of Members, will require a cross-party approach to solve. All Members have practical experience which could be used to good effect. It would be very useful to hold full discussions on the matter at the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. If it is agreeable, I am willing to bring to the committee in the autumn the guidelines I have mentioned and to establish with representatives of parties on all sides of the House what is best practice elsewhere. We can consider suggestions such as the one Deputy Cuffe outlined in his question. The register requires an appropriate level of attention which it has failed to receive in the past. I want to see the matter resolved in the very near future.

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