Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the Seanad on electoral matters. The opportunity is welcome because it allows for a greater sense of reality to be brought to the debate on the electoral register. We all recognise that the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register needs to be improved and that it should be done as quickly as possible, and certainly before the next election. This is why the Government is focusing on taking effective action in the period ahead.

In contrast, the Fine Gael motion is a knee-jerk and unrealistic reaction which smacks of headline-grabbing.