Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 28a:

In page 11, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:

"11.—(1) The Table to Rule 1 (4) of the Second Schedule to the Act of 1992 is amended as respects, and only as respects, the preparation of the register of electors which comes into force immediately following the register in force at the date of coming into operation of this Act, by substituting—

(a) in paragraph 7, "9th December" for "25th November",

(b) in paragraph 8, "12th December" for "30th November", and

(c) in paragraph 9, "12th January" for "23rd December".

(2) In this section "preparation", in relation to the register of electors, includes any relevant act in relation to the register mentioned in the Table to Rule 1 (4) of the Second Schedule to the Act of 1992.

(3) This section shall be deemed to have come into operation on 25 November 2006.".

We have already discussed this amendment at some length. It is the nub of the work in this debate. The amendment seeks to insert a new section that will allow additional time for councils to complete their work on the electoral register, which Members have welcomed, and allow members of the public more time to return their registration correction forms to their city or county council. The dates are being extended to 2 January and 9 December respectively. The amendment provides for a new timetable to apply in the case of the 2007 and 2008 register.

Amendment No. 30a is a Labour Party amendment. I have indicated I support the spirit of the amendment. As Deputy Gilmore has explained, a number of Deputies, including Deputies Rabbitte and Crowe, sought to obtain lists of deletions and were not given these on the basis that there may be a problem with the data protection commissioner. I have indicated to Deputy Gilmore that I accept the point. Every Member of the House and every public representative should have had the list of deletions. I am happy to accept the underlying proposal that will make it publicly available.

See this speech in context