Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I raise this matter in the aftermath of the recent election and on foot of the experience of previous elections whereby people who were on the electoral register for years discovered that through no fault of their own they did not have a vote on election day. This is a serious matter which requires us to consider the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Constitution in regard to electoral reform. One of its recommendations was to consider the possibility of linking PPS numbers with the electoral register.

A small minority of people are abusing the right to vote and are bringing the electoral process into disrepute. It is a mark of a healthy democracy that a person can place himself or herself on the electoral register with ease. Practices that undermine politics and electoral processes are unhelpful in a society where cynicism and disaffection with politics are on the increase. The electoral register allows individuals' names to appear in more than one register, which gives them the opportunity to vote several times in the same or different polling stations. The current system also allows people with addresses in this State but domiciled in other jurisdictions to be registered. In an age of technology, this is unacceptable.

We need a proper debate on this matter because the way in which we do politics has changed. The various party political machines kept a close vigilance on electoral registers but that may no longer be the case. The breakdown in community networks means that people do not necessarily recognise voters as they arrive in polling stations. One way to address this is through the PPS number. I appreciate that complications will arise with regard to using this. People may see it as an invasion of privacy or find a barrier to the idea, but it must be seen as a practical solution.

The problem is not universal. Many registers are in fine shape. Nevertheless, when we examine voting numbers, we see turnouts of 69%, 70% or 75%. These are not accurate figures because registers may include duplications or names of people who no longer live at the address on the register. At a time when there is considerable cynicism towards and distrust of politics, people look at a turnout figure of 55% or 65% and wonder what happened the other 40%. Turnout figures are often misrepresentations.

I am calling for this matter to be examined. The recommendations of the joint committee should be considered and a debate begun. Many people on both sides of the House want to ensure we have an up-to-date electoral register. We should look at the possibility of having a central register. At present registers are under the auspices of 34 local authorities. A marked register is being compiled centrally. Each of the 34 local authorities has sent their marked registers to Leinster House to be checked. This is an anomaly. The updating of electoral registers could be done centrally, from start to finish.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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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.