Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy O'Dowd in that regard. I have said that several times and I want to say it here in his presence. I am grateful that it has always been the approach he has adopted in this area. I have also acknowledged Deputy Gay Mitchell's previous interest in this and the fact that we are making a modest, but welcome, change and we are doing so with consensus.

In the longer term, we must evolve a better way of doing things. I have already indicated my personal views on issues like, for example, an electoral commission. With regard to all of that, my responsibility at present on the voting register is to get it right and I have issued the necessary resources and instructions. If any Member of the House feels that the work is not being done, I would greatly appreciate hearing from him or her. I will deal with it in confidence or if the Deputy wants to be acknowledged, I will deal with it in that way. It is important that we do that work.

I am grateful for the debate. I will listen, in particular, to the points made about rights of prisoners. I will suggest to my staff that we make contact with the relevant NGO to see what, if any, improvements can be made because this is a consensus issue on which we can move forward. I am grateful for the contributions in the House.

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