Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Bill and the amendment proposed to the Civil Registration Act 2004. It allows registrars not employed by the HSE, and employees of the HSE who are not registrars, to receive payment.

Approximately two hours ago the House debated the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005 and discussed the updating of it on a regular basis. Great advancements have been made in this area. I suggested that it must be possible for the relevant Departments to pass on information such as death certificates to each other. There seems to be a complete lack of communication from the Department of Social and Family Affairs in this regard. Families are often sent large bills from that Department because they are in receipt of benefits or allowances on behalf of a person who has recently died to which they are not entitled.

I ask the Minister to pursue with the relevant Departments the problem of people remaining on the electoral register even though they have passed away. The Civil Registration Service, however, is undoubtedly doing good work in many areas.