Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the way the register of electors is complied; if he will ask An Post or other agencies, public or private, to become involved with local authorities in its preparation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 621: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the possible updating of the voters register through An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28075/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 621 together.

The compilation and publication of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority in accordance with electoral law and includes the carrying out of house to house inquiries, the delivery of registration forms and running local awareness campaigns. It is the duty of registration authorities to ensure as far as possible the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. In carrying out this work, registration authorities depend to a significant degree on the co-operation and engagement of the public.

The focus of my Department's work in relation to the register is to support and assist registration authorities through, inter alia, ensuring that an appropriate legislative framework is in place, developing best practice guidelines for registration authorities and overseeing related national awareness campaigns. While I will continue to keep these issues under review, including the scope for further initiatives in the area, there are no proposals along the lines referred to in the questions.