Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will commission An Post to deliver a blank electoral registration form to each house in the State for completion and return to the local authority within three weeks, which would be part of a national campaign to encourage voters to register. [12693/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In law, the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. Their work in this area includes the carrying out of house-to-house enquiries, delivery of registration forms and running local awareness campaigns.

I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government wrote to registration authorities on 14 July 2005 and requested them to take all necessary steps to secure significant improvement in the quality of the register. A national awareness campaign was conducted in November 2005 associated with the work on preparation of the register underway at that stage. Also in November 2005, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government completed work on new and updated guidance for registration authorities on preparing and maintaining the register. The aim of the guidance is to secure significant improvement in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register by setting out clearly the legal requirements in this complex area, and identifying best practice for registration authorities in their work on the register.

The draft guidance has been circulated for comment to all registration authorities and returning officers and to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, which discussed the guidance in December 2005. Following this consultation process, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is now finalising the guidance. However, in view of the importance of securing improvements in the register, registration authorities have also been asked to proceed to implement the draft guidance with immediate effect. While the guidance does not envisage action on the lines referred to in the question, I will continue to keep these important issues under close review.