Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The polling station had to be closed for some time by the late Willie O'Brien.

It is currently the duty of the rates and Revenue collectors to collate information on those eligible to vote. It has never been a question of money but one of manpower and the physical ability to walk the footpaths and collect all the information. Is it the intention to employ extra people or to pay the Revenue collectors extra money to do this job?

Has the Taoiseach a view on the PPS system which apparently could eliminate wholesale fraud, particularly such as has occurred in Border counties in a number of elections? Does the Taoiseach agree with the view expressed by his brother, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Ahern, that one party represented in the House has been and is actively involved in wholesale fraudulent activity in regard to the electoral register? When the Taoiseach refers to fraud in his own constituency, is that what he refers to? Will it be necessary for every person who casts a vote in the next election on the ballot paper — as distinct from the decrepit electronic machines — to produce proof of identity such as a driving licence, a passport or a public utility bill, to confirm to presiding officers or polling clerks who they are? We know the electoral register is in an appallingly inaccurate state. Will the Government see to it the necessary manpower is put in place to make it accurate, and install systems to eliminate the fraud of which the Taoiseach rightly speaks, and which could probably be a contributory factor to persons making their way into this House by illegal and unconstitutional means? Will the Taoiseach see to it this happens, rather than merely giving out about local authorities as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been doing? This is a fundamental, serious issue. People deserve to make their choice in an election, and while that is an individual responsibility which many thousands fail to act on, the mission statement of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government refers to development and implementation of a modern and efficient electoral system, and democratic governance and public participation in the electoral system. This is a fundamental duty.

See this speech in context