Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make any changes to the rules regarding the addition of extra persons to the register of electors in the period leading up to any election in view of the fact that 72,000 additional names were included on the supplement to the register before the most recent elections; his views that proof of permanent residency in the area should be a requirement as a minimum to obtain the right to vote; the changes he will make; if he will consider the use of personal public service number as a means to minimise the risk of abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25309/09]

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.

Authorities were required to publish the Final Register for 2009/10 by 1 February 2009. Individuals not on the Register can avail of the supplement to the Register up until 15 days before the next polling day. Returns received from registration authorities by my Department indicate that over 72,000 names were included on the supplement to the Register before the recent elections. I consider that the current arrangements relating to the inclusion of persons on the supplement to the Register strike a reasonable balance between having a flexible supplement facility and, at the same time, ensuring that there are adequate measures in place to counteract any possible abuse.

Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Electoral Act 1992 provide that a person shall be entitled to be registered where he/she is ordinarily resident on the qualifying date. Rule 5(3)(a) of the Second Schedule to the 1992 Act provides that the registration authority may for the purposes of their duties in relation to the preparation of a register require a person to give any information in their possession which the registration authority may require.

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, with a closing date of 26 June 2009.