Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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305. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to review the electoral register (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17904/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty, as far as possible and with the cooperation and engagement of the public, to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of that register.

Local authorities strive to ensure there is a balance between having everyone entitled to be on the register of electors present on that register and having appropriate measures in place to ensure that the register is kept up to date and accurate. 

However, it is generally acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the register of electors and the voter registration process. The Government has recently agreed that work should commence on the modernisation of the voter registration process. This provides an opportunity to undertake significant work on improving the register of electors. While that decision was made in the context of facilitating the registration of voters that are resident outside the State, in the event of an extension of the franchise at Presidential elections being approved by the people in a referendum, it will provide benefits for the registration of all voters in an efficient and user-friendly manner and, vitally, protect the accuracy, comprehensiveness and integrity of the register of electors.