Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the survey by a group (details supplied) showing that more than 25% of young people are not registered to vote. [10129/09]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on reports of many people being left off the recent electoral register. [10130/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 51 together.

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 co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register.

In working to compile the Register for 2007/08, 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, was to maintain and build on the progress made to date.

Local authorities were required to publish the Draft Register for 2009/10 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.

Authorities were required to publish the Final Register for 2009/10 by 1 February 2009 and this is now available for checking. Individuals not on the Register can avail of the supplement to the Register up until 15 days before the next polling day (i.e. applications must be with the authority not later than Monday 18 May in the case of the Local and European elections being held on 5 June 2009).

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 appointed consultants to carry out preliminary research on issues arising in relation to establishment of the Electoral Commission. I published the relevant report for consultation on 10 February 2009.