Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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324. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeline of the review of the Electoral Acts; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14286/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government – "Our Shared Future" – contains a number of commitments in respect of electoral reform including the following:

- the establishment of an electoral commission;

- the modernisation of the Register of Electors; and

- the regulation of online political advertising.

In December 2020, the Government approved the General Scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill, which meets these commitments, and also includes provisions which are aimed at assisting with the holding of electoral events where Covid-19 restrictions are in place. The General Scheme is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/34cf6-general-scheme-of-the-electoral-reform-bill-2020and I anticipate publication of the Electoral Reform Bill very shortly.

The proposed Electoral Commission will take on a new research and advisory role, conducting research on electoral policy and procedure and providing advice to the Minister. Such advice will include the making of recommendations in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other electoral policy matters or procedures.