Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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548. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the establishment of an independent electoral commission; when it will be established and functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41611/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In January 2015, I published a consultation paper on the establishment of an Electoral Commission and invited the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht to undertake a public consultation process on that paper and report back to me.  The Committee completed its consultations at the end of July 2015 and, I understand, is currently considering its report and recommendations. The report will inform the development of an Electoral Commission Bill.

When launching the consultation paper last January, I made it clear that the task of establishing an Electoral Commission involves a significant job of work and will take a number of years to complete. Consideration of the outcome of the consultation process and the development of legislation is a necessary first step.