Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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312. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to make changes to the requirement for election candidates to declare their full home address on ballot papers. [53444/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Under electoral law, a nomination paper must state the name, address and occupation (if any) of a candidate at an election. A ballot paper must contain the name and description of the candidate standing nominated, as shown in the nomination paper. This requirement is intended as a means of identifying a candidate and ensuring the transparency of elections. In ruling on the validity of a nomination paper, the independent returning officer must, amongst other things, object to the description of a candidate which is, in his or her opinion, incorrect or insufficient to identify the candidate.

Guidance provided to returning officers by my Department in advance of elections states that a candidate’s address need not necessarily relate to their residence but could, for example, refer to their place of businesssuch as a constituency office.

During the recent Committee Stage debate on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023 the issue of the requirement for the address of a candidate on ballot papers was raised. During the debate I highlighted that An Coimisiún Toghcháin has now prepared its first draft research programme and is seeking the views of the Oireachtas, the public and other interested parties on its research priorities. The issue of addresses on ballot papers is an issue that An Coimisiún could consider. An Coimisiún is inviting submissions before the 12 January 2024.

Changes to electoral law in respect of the issue would have regard to any recommendations made by An Coimisiún.