Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to achieve an accurate update in respect of the voters register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36778/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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 cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register.

In working to compile the Register for 2007/8, local authorities undertook and completed, with assistance from my Department, 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. The task now for local authorities, in relation to the Register for 2009/10, is to maintain and build on the progress made to date.

Local authorities are required to publish the Draft Register on 1 November 2008 and people have until 25 November to check it to ensure that their details are present and correct. My Department will run an advertising campaign to encourage people to check that they are on the Draft Register and to notify their city or county council of any errors or omissions before 25 November.

Looking to the future, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission. The Commission's responsibilities will include taking charge of the compilation of a new national rolling electoral register. My Department has appointed consultants to carry out preliminary research on issues arising in relation to establishment of the Electoral Commission. This work is now well advanced and I expect to receive the report in the coming weeks. The research conclusions will inform further consideration of the approach to be taken in progressing the Government commitment.