Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 240: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that all possible measures were taken to update the election registers in the run up to the last general election; and if he has asked local authorities that clearly had major difficulties with the electoral register, removing thousands off the register in some constituencies, to initiate an investigation into their performance. [5864/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register.

In working to compile the Register for 2007/8, which was in force at the general election last year, local authorities undertook and completed the most extensive registration campaign in decades. On the basis of the work undertaken, I am satisfied that local authorities achieved a significant improvement in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register compared to previous years. My Department advised local authorities that the approach in respect of the 2008/9 Register should be to maintain and build on the progress they had made. Authorities were required to publish the Register for 2008/9 on 1 February 2008.