Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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866. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the closure of many rural Garda Síochána stations, if he will consider amending the requirements for inclusion on the supplement to the register of electors, to allow an official of a local authority to witness an applicant's form for inclusion on the register; if he will amend or delete an applicant's need to establish in writing that the applicant is unable to progress the registration process in the presence of a member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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An application for inclusion in the supplement to the register of electors must be signed by the applicant in the presence of a member of An Garda Síochána from the applicant’s local Garda station who must first be satisfied as to the person’s identity before signing, dating and stamping the form. The Garda may request photographic or other identification. Where the applicant establishes in writing that he is unable to progress the application in this way, the form can be signed by the applicant in the presence of an official of the registration authority who is satisfied as to his or her identity. Again, photographic or other identification may be required. If neither option is viable due to physical illness or physical disability, the application form must be accompanied by a medical certificate. Most applications for entry on the supplement are made in a relatively short period of time close to a polling event. Registration authorities have less opportunity therefore than they have at the annual revision of the register to make the necessary enquiries about an application. The provisions regarding verification of applications for entry on the supplement to the register of electors are in place to strengthen the security aspects of the supplement procedures.

I am satisfied that the provisions in the Electoral Act 1992 serve to assist registration authorities in processing applications for entry in the supplement. I do not think that a requirement on an applicant to state in writing the reason why they are unable to get the application form signed by a Garda is unreasonable in the circumstances. I consider that the current arrangements strike a reasonable balance between facilitating voter registration and ensuring that there are adequate measures in place to counteract any possible abuse.