Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

As we all know, we are in the run-up to a general election in the next 12 months or so. In that context, it is vital that the electoral register is accurate and up to date and that those who should be on it are on it. There is considerable public concern that, as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government said, there are at least 300,000 additional persons on the register this year than there are people entitled to vote. Some people have suggested the inaccuracy is close to 500,000.

It is unacceptable that so close to a general election this kind of electoral register inaccuracy exists. We must deal with the issue and make a number of changes. We should introduce a system whereby people are registered when they get their PPS number and local authorities must take more concrete action in the compilation of the registers. Also, we have new residential communities in areas such as west Dublin where 4,000 to 5,000 houses were built in the past five years, but no polling stations are provided for the people there, despite the best efforts of local authorities to demand polling stations from the county sheriffs and returning officers.

On 29 March I wrote a letter to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government proposing a simple legislative change in this area, but I still await a reply. The issue is urgent. Will the Leader arrange a debate where we can hear what the Minister wants to do about this urgent matter?

Given the position taken by the junior partner in Government last weekend that electronic voting should be abandoned, is that the collective view of the Government? Is this not the time to deal with the issue and state clearly that there will not be e-voting at the next general election?