Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I accept that, and we had a similar problem years ago with the welfare offices and unemployment register offices. There is a job to be done on this and we will see what the enumerators can do in a short period on the census. It needs the same amount of time. The old job that used to be done on this, for various reasons — and this is not a criticism — has not worked and has not been effective.

I do not accept the argument that technology will solve this. I am afraid it will have to be a shank's mare exercise, which is the only way we will get a good register. We need to take on that challenge this year. Otherwise, with far too many people on the register, it is open to voter fraud.

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