Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 571: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if citizens of this State who are working and staying during weekly working days at a location here, but outside of the local authority area where they reside, and who are not registered to vote in the local authority area where they work, are entitled to register to vote in their home address; if there is consistency on this issue across all local authority areas; and if he will clarify this matter as soon as possible in order that the new register of electors is accurate. [31807/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 in the light of the circumstances of each particular case. 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.