Vol. 531 No. 3
298 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he will take to combat electoral fraud; if he is satisfied that the current provisions are stringent enough; if he will examine examples of widespread fraud in other jurisdictions as examples to improve the measures in place here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5913/01]
Under electoral law a presiding officer may of his or her own volition, or if so required by a personation agent, request any person applying for a ballot paper to satisfy him or her as to their identity by producing any one of a number of specified documents. Where a person fails to produce such a document or the presiding officer is not satisfied that the person is the person to whom the document relates, a ballot paper is not issued. Presiding officers have powers to direct a member of the Garda Síochána to arrest a person where they have reasonable cause to believe that personation is or has been committed and electoral law also provides for the offence of personation and appropriate penalties. I am satisfied that these arrangements are operating satisfactorily, but it is a matter I will keep under review.
