Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We can belch all we like, give out about the personnel on councils and all the rest, but for the first time since I have been involved in the electoral process, somebody has taken the matter of the electoral register by the scruff of the neck and decided to do something about it. While I might not like how some of it is unfolding owing to the slowness of council officials to believe the Minister with regard to third parties — people are quick to blame the Minister — his guidelines stated we were not to accept recommendations from third parties. The Minister said we should authenticate them, and it will then be seen how right they are. The amendments would have people from EU countries such as Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, who have PPS numbers, on the register although they cannot vote in general elections. On my rounds, I have told many Poles to register for the local elections so they will be able to vote. However, the amendments do not help the situation.

Under legislation it is the duty of county councils to enforce the correct register. Senator Bannon's county council is a wonderful one, which has been chaired by his party for many years. The council must have been very slothful in performing its duties when it did not tackle the register. I accept the amendments are well-intentioned but they would mean that 2 million more people than are on the register would have the right to vote, including those of other nationalities who should be entitled to vote in local but not in general or presidential elections.