Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

Fianna Fáil has not re-entered on Report Stage the amendments tabled on Committee Stage. We do not propose to delay the proceedings. I agree with Deputy Stanley regarding the accuracy of the register of electors. I ask the Minister to consider - not in this Bill - issuing guidelines as to how the field workers engaged by the local authorities should go about their work of auditing and updating the register of electors. As practising public representatives we have all met people who have been removed from the register of electors, not by their own choice or their own doing. They cannot explain why they have been removed from the register, as in many instances individuals will have lived at the same address for many years. There are many examples of people who have been removed against their will. The only explanation offered by the local authority is that a field worker called to the house on a number of occasions and there was no one there. The issuing of guidelines may be a responsibility of the new electoral commission in the future but in the interim I ask the Minister to consider issuing such guidelines or a directive to the local authorities. Field workers are engaged on a temporary basis to collect the information and it seems to be a hit and miss operation which needs to be improved. We hear many examples at election time when constituents call at the last minute to say their names have been removed from the register of electors.

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