Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will not go back over the points I already made. Deputy Rabbitte understands that when we put forward the issue of the census enumerators taking the two forms together — a suggestion with which I had no difficulty — they stated they were governed by separate legislation, the time in which it was put to them was inadequate as the census form was a separate operation for which they had done their field work and planning for eight or nine months, and given the confidentiality aspect, they had enough in one task. That solution was out.

We then suggested that if the census enumerators who had gone through all of this could be used, and if we overcome some IR difficulties which I hope we can, they would be ideal. Whatever number of them it takes would have to be paid to do it. It is a good suggestion and does not move away from the suggestion made by Deputy Quinn, which I thought was good and practical. I followed it up immediately when it was made. I cannot see any other practical way of doing it.

It will start as soon as possible but it would likely be a September or October job. That would seem to be best. November is the date for the draft register and then 15 February is the final date. It would also need the active engagement of local authority workers.

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