Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have listened with interest to the points made by Deputy McLoughlin. I assure him I share his concern about some of the anomalies that are cropping up too frequently in elections, particularly the need to identify the people who are registering, either directly in the formal electoral register process or through the supplementary register. We are looking at the use of PPS numbers as one of the initiatives which is often suggested to improve the register. While PPS numbers or any other unique identifier could assist the registration authorities in ensuring the register of electors is as accurate as possible, there are a number of issues that crop up and which we will have to consider before we go down that road.

I also remind the Deputy that the programme for Government commits us to the establishment of an electoral commission, and we are going to establish that electoral commission in 2015. This matter will be addressed by the Houses of the Oireachtas in appropriate time for them to make these suggestions again. Hopefully, we will be able to reflect the concerns the Deputy has expressed. We will be glad to enlist the support and experience of the local authorities and the presiding officers in the various polling stations throughout the country in order to find what is the best way to ensure we have a good register of electors in which people can be confident. They must have the confidence that what is in the register of electors and the voters registered there is fair and as accurate as possible. These are the matters that will be appropriate for consideration by the electoral commission in advance of the next general election.

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