Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1509: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if people who live temporarily in Dublin for work purposes, but regard their parents' home in Mayo as their permanent residence, can remain on the register of electors in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29207/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The compilation and publication of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority in accordance with electoral law. While I have put in place a programme of measures to assist and support local authorities in their registration work, it is the duty of local authorities to ensure as far as possible the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register; in carrying out this work, local authorities depend to a significant degree on the cooperation and engagement of the general public.

Section 8 of the Electoral Act 1992 states that to be eligible for registration as a Dáil elector a person must be ordinarily resident in a constituency on the qualifying date (1 September in the year preceding the year in which the Register comes into force). Section 11 of the Act places a prohibition on a person being registered as an elector more than once in any registration area or in more than one registration area.

Long standing guidance from the Department suggests that students be given the option of being registered at their parents' home or at the students' residential address. While the guidance further suggests that persons who normally return to their parents' home at the weekends and for holidays should be registered where they live for work purposes, the determination of ordinary residence is a matter for decision by the local authority (or the County Registrar in the case of a claim) in the light of the circumstances of each particular case.

I understand that Mayo County Council, the registration authority concerned, has indicated that fieldworkers who are currently conducting house-to-house enquiries are advising people in such cases that they should register where they are residing for work purposes. However, the Council also confirmed that each case will be considered on its merits and exceptions may be made where there is a compelling case to include an individual on the Register. In addition, the Council stated that, on publication of the Draft Register of Electors on 1 November, individuals if they wish can make a claim to have their registration details altered and the matter will be determined by the County Registrar.