Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 972: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will instruct local authorities to use the population and residency information available to them through their housing services database in relation to rent, tenancy, and occupancy of each housing unit they own to corroborate the accuracy of the data on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14702/06]

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.

I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register. My Department 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 under way at that stage.

Also, in November 2005, my Department completed work on new and updated draft guidance for registration authorities on preparing and maintaining the register.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 guidance states that the draft register should be cross-checked with other databases available to the registration authority. Following a consultation process, my Department is now finalising the guidance and, in this regard, I am considering whether the final version should include further specific text on this issue.