Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We have had a good and positive discussion and it is heartening that there is general consensus among the parties on the need for short-term action to make the electoral register more accurate and comprehensive. Many members have acknowledged the value and immediacy of the programme of action being put in place by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Deputy Gilmore, while promoting the Bill, accepts the importance of action in the context of the next election while Deputy Costello, Deputy McCormack and others also shared this view.

The Government's approach is to focus on what needs to be done in the period immediately ahead. As the Minister said last night, we have until 1 November next to take effective action. The proposals in the Labour Party's Bill could not achieve the necessary changes in the time available. However, practical steps will be taken to improve the register. First, we are providing updated and consolidated guidance so that all local authorities work to the same template. The specific details of the guidance were set out by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Roche. The guidance is a real and practical contribution to improving the quality of the register. My Department is finalising the guidance in light of the comments received in the consultation process. In the final version, the importance of local authorities cross-checking the register with other databases available to them will be highlighted and opportunities for local authorities to use other databases will also be explored.

The use of census enumerators and others to assist local authorities in preparing the next register as part of an intensive registration campaign will be conducted this summer. The Government is also prepared to provide additional financial resources to local authorities to support intensified action on the register. These resources can be made available this year to ensure that a comprehensive once-off check is effectively undertaken.

An early start will be made for the register campaign in 2007-08 with the issuing of the relevant registration form shortly from my Department. Approximately 30,000 deaths occur each year. New arrangements to delete deceased persons from the register are now also in place and the new system allows for the efficient and timely deletion of the names of deceased persons from the register. National awareness campaigns and related local campaigns associated with the preparation of the register were undertaken last November and it is intended that intensified campaigns will take place again this year.

In his contribution last night, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, stressed the importance of using fully the potential of the Internet in the registration process. An on-line search facility is now available for people to check if they are on the register. To give more help to people, my Department will provide a better linkage between our own website and the local authority search facilities.

We must be conscious of what happens at polling stations. Strong legislation has been introduced in recent years to prevent abuses of the system. However, this must be mirrored on the ground by vigilance on the part of polling staff and personation agents to ensure that only those eligible are permitted to vote. In advance of the next general election, my Department will stress to returning officers and presiding officers their role and their duties in the prevention of voter fraud. There will be a strengthening of controls at all polling stations and new guidelines will be issued in this area.

Debates on electoral matters in the House and elsewhere can often be quite animated, to say the least. It is good that we can agree in the way that we have on the immediate issues before us. However, for the reasons already set out, it is not possible for the Government to support the fundamentals of this Bill.

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