Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he has taken to date in 2006 in respect of the concerns raised in Dáil Éireann regarding the inadequate maintenance of the electoral register; the local authorities which have been consulted to date in 2006 on this matter; the proposals he has drawn up to deal with this problem; when he intends to publish such proposals; when he intends to bring in legislation to correct the problems that the Government has acknowledged exist with the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5382/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In law, preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. On 28 June 2005, when the House last discussed this issue, I confirmed that I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register. Since then I have taken a number of steps. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government wrote to registration authorities on 14 July and requested them to take all necessary steps to secure significant improvement in the quality of the register. A national awareness campaign was conducted in November associated with preparation of the register that is about to come into force. In November also, the Department completed work on new and updated guidance for registration authorities on preparing and maintaining the register. The aim of the guidance is to secure significant improvement in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register by setting out clearly the legal requirements in this complex area and identifying best practice for registration authorities in their work on the register.

The draft guidance has been circulated for comment to all registration authorities and returning officers and to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government, which discussed the guidance in December. Following this consultation process, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is finalising the guidance. However, in view of the importance of securing improvements in the register, registration authorities have also been asked to proceed to implement the draft guidance with immediate effect. I will continue to keep these important issues under close review.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Will the Minister accept that it is not guidance that the local authorities need in many cases, but the resources with which to compile the register, particularly in areas with rapid housing development and population movement? In this regard, why did he refuse Kildare County Council additional resources which it requested because of the difficulties it is having in compiling its electoral register?

Will the Minister consider finding a way to avail of the census of population that will take place later this year? Every house will be visited by a census enumerator and it would represent a reasonable way by which we could end up with an accurate electoral register. We now have an electoral register which contains 20% more entries than people aged more than 18 in the country. Everybody involved in the political process accepts that the electoral register is in a mess. I have asked about the provision of additional resources for local authorities where they need them — some need them more than others for this purpose. I also asked him to consider the opportunity the census provides to tidy up, correct and produce an accurate register of electors.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I will take the second point first. I am not sure if it is possible to use the census of population, which has a very specific focus. It is an interesting thought. I am open to any suggestion that might work. Regarding Kildare, as the Deputy knows, I have allocated a huge increase in the resources of local authorities in the past two years — the Government has been in the fortunate position to do so. For example the general purpose grant this year totalled €875 million, of which Kildare County Council got more than its fair share. This represents an increase significantly higher than inflation. Kildare County Council was the only local authority to make a request of this nature. Like every other local authority, it has a variety of sources, including commercial rates, rents, fees, charges and a variety of other income streams of which it can avail to do this work. The total cost on all local authorities in 2004 for work associated with elections was €6.8 million. It was €4.7 million in 2003 and €3 million in 1994. In the context of local government funding, which this year runs close to €9 billion, that is not a huge imposition.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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We are reaching a point where I am reluctant to ask a supplementary question because the Minister takes the opportunity to clap himself on the back. My sole point on resources is that because of the level of development taking place in their areas and the increase in the number of houses, population movement, rental and so on, some local authorities are having more difficulties than others in more settled areas. I am simply asking the Minister to re-examine the needs of those local authorities. It is significant that the only request of this type he has had is from a local authority in whose area that type of increased development is taking place.

Since the Minister responded half positively to the suggestion about the census, will he consider agreeing to allow Government time to consider the Private Members' Bill in my name on the Dáil Order Paper, which addresses the electoral register and proposals whereby information available to State authorities for various purposes could be used in the compilation of an accurate electoral register and to ring-fence that information to ensure it is only used for that purpose? Will he agree to that amending legislation? I am sure the Minster will agree it is unconscionable that we would go into the next general election with an electoral register that is 20% inaccurate.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I would not disagree with the Deputy on the last point because, frankly, some local authorities are not doing a good job, although others are doing an excellent job.

With regard to the reference to Kildare County Council, which features frequently in the affairs of this House more for criticism than anything else, I have made the point about the resources.

With regard to the Private Members' Bill, I leave that matter to the Whips but there is an issue we discussed previously, that is, PPS numbers. I have said previously that I see the value in that but there are significant problems in using them.