Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is right. We have a responsibility and it is not a politically contentious issue. The political classes will have a right and responsibility to check the register when it is published because there will be deletions. The register is awash with inaccurate information and must be corrected. Both of the Deputies present have been positive and constructive, but it is not right for one or two Deputies to suggest that this is a bad or anti-democratic exercise. It is an untrue claim and will be dealt with on the day.

If any Deputy feels that there are inadequate resources in his or her area, I would welcome being told so that I can contact the electoral authorities. I have done so in a number of cases. I travelled around the country and told county managers in particular that I wanted this job done. I do not want any Deputy to tell me in November that a big chunk of this or that constituency has not been done. I will not take an excuse for not doing the job. I have provided resources, the campaign is under way and local authorities have long since been notified. We all know what must be done and I expect a modicum of common sense.

A Deputy on the opposite side raised the issue of students. The traditional arrangements for denominating where students are registered will continue to apply and no one should feel forced to register somewhere. Like all Deputies, I want to ensure that no one is registered two, three or four times.

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