Seanad debates

Thursday, 30 November 2006

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

The Minister is making a conscientious effort to ensure the register is as accurate as possible, which is not a particularly easy task. As was noted during the debate on the National Development Finance Agency with regard to cost overruns, an element of trial and error is unavoidable in many areas of administration. If a measure is not working as perfectly as it should, appropriate action is taken to adjust it. That is not a reason for criticisms based on the assumption that everything can be perfect from the beginning.

When I examined the register, I recognised some familiar names because public representatives in my county were issued with a list of people whose names were deleted from the register but who were living around the corner. I welcome the extension because, while it is inevitable that some people will have fallen through the cracks, it is important that adjustments are permitted until the last possible moment before the general election. The penal reform at the core of the Bill is also welcome and I am confident that the next general election will be a fair and accurate reflection of public opinion.

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