John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has in place to ensure the register of electors is correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42743/08]

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 for local authorities, in relation to the Register for 2009/10, has been to maintain and build on the progress made to date.

Local authorities were required to publish the Draft Register on 1 November 2008 and people had until 25 November to check it to ensure that their details are accurately entered on the Register. My Department ran 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 no later than 25 November. If any person is omitted from the Final Register, they will still have the opportunity to apply for entry onto the Supplement to the Register up to 15 days before any polling day.

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. The research conclusions will inform further consideration of the approach to be taken in progressing the Government commitment.