Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding polling station employees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law.

Section 31 of the Electoral Act 1992 sets out the general duty of returning officers including ascertaining and declaring the results of an election while section 95 of the Act contains the legislative provisions relating to the appointment of presiding officers and poll clerks. Returning officers are independent in the performance of their duties. Accordingly, my Department does not have any information regarding the polling staff employed in the recent Dáil election in respect of the Dublin North East or any constituency.

To assist returning officers, my Department issues guidance to them in advance of each election. The guidance emphasises that the smooth conduct of polls is dependant on maintaining a cadre of sufficiently skilled and experienced people. Having regard to that overall objective, returning officers are advised to employ competent and efficient persons as polling staff and asked to give consideration, where possible, to employing suitable persons who are unemployed.