Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. He raises a very good point. We have already gone through the details on the central registration authority and the ability it will have to share data for the new register. The point the Senator has raised about a data holder in Trinity being allowed to transfer their data across en masse without people assenting to that - although they will know about it - is a very good point. That could be problematic. In addition, there are people, whether we like it or not, who are on the register but do not want to be on it. They need to be afforded an opportunity to decide whether they want to be on the new electoral register as well. I agree with the Senator and am glad of his positive remarks too. I really believe this is an opportunity to re-energise this, correct the register to improve its accuracy and get prospective electors engaged to register on the electoral register, and we will support that. As I said earlier, there is already work ongoing between the universities and I have read that into the record of the House. They are well prepared. We have a good lead-in time to get this right and we will get it right.