Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I speak and reply on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan.

In law, the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local authority. It is its duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register.

Local authorities have undertaken extensive voter registration campaigns in recent years, with assistance from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to ensure the electoral register is as up to date and as accurate as possible. This involves striving to ensure, on the one hand, that everyone entitled to be on the register is registered and, on the other, having appropriate measures in place to counteract any possible abuses. Electoral law reflects this balance to be achieved between an accessible registration system and potential abuse. It also provides for significant measures relating to voter identification and the prevention of personation aimed at the prevention of fraud.

I agree with the issues raised by Deputy McHugh. There are much bigger changes of population urban areas than in traditional rural areas. Rural registers tend to be more accurate than urban ones. Nowadays, people often do not answer the door when someone knocks. It is difficult to communicate or to get into gated dwellings. There are major issues to be examined. An Post should be consulted or even asked to compile the register. An Post delivers letters and its staff know where everyone lives. Local authorities are no longer in that business and do not have the same local knowledge.

The Minister, Deputy Hogan, has acknowledged that further improvements can be made. The use of PPS numbers is one of these initiatives. While the PPS number or any other unique identifier could assist registration authorities in ensuring the register of electors is as accurate as possible, there are a number of issues that arise, which would require careful consideration. For example, it is unlikely that the existing PPS database could populate the electoral register with PPS numbers because of the lack of matching identifiers between the two databases. Therefore, a specific national canvass would likely be required with the associated resource implications. Privacy and data protection issues may also arise. There may be a reluctance by people to give their PPS number for registration purposes. Finally, the PPS system does not necessarily capture the current residence of voters or their citizenship, both essential for electoral registration purposes.

It will be understood, therefore, that there are no quick and easy solutions to the perceived problem. The register is important and needs careful consideration. The importance of engagement by voters who have a responsibility to ensure they are on the register also needs to be emphasised.

The programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an electoral commission to subsume functions of existing bodies and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. An electoral commission will be an important element in a reformed and revitalised electoral system and the Minister is considering how the necessary measures to establish such a commission can be advanced, including its structure and functions. The Minister will, in that context, consider the issue raised and I will bring to his attention the points raised by Deputy McHugh.

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