Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date on which he will introduce legislation establishing an Electoral Commission to subsume the functions of existing bodies in the Department of the Environment. [6912/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an Electoral Commission to subsume functions of existing bodies and my Department. This is part of the Government's wider commitment to a radical overhaul of the way Irish politics and Government work. An Electoral Commission will be an important element in a reformed and revitalised electoral system.

In developing proposals for the establishment of an Electoral Commission, I am aware that there is extensive knowledge and expertise in electoral matters across all sides of the House. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, which published a report on the electoral system in July 2010, stated that it strongly supported the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission. I look forward to the continued input of Oireachtas members in the implementation of the Programme for Government commitment to establish such a body.

While there is broad agreement on the principle that an Electoral Commission should be established, setting up this new structure will be a major body of work and it needs to be done right. Issues for consideration include international best practice, the Commission's structure and functions, who it reports to, its relationship with other bodies currently involved in electoral administration, and the approach to be followed in relation to the extensive legislation that will be required.

I am currently giving consideration to how the necessary measures to establish an Electoral Commission can be advanced.