Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
258 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason persons who were born in Northern Ireland and who are now resident here could not vote in the recent referendum to amend the Constitution despite the previous constitutional guarantees that persons from Northern Ireland would be considered to be citizens of the State. [18292/04]
View answer266 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person born in Northern Ireland who registers to vote in this State is entitled to vote in all elections and referenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18537/04]
View answer267 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person born in Northern Ireland who is registered to vote in the State should have a D before the name on the Register of Electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18538/04]
View answer268 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the letter D is placed before a person’s name on the Register of Electors; if it can be clearly demonstrated that this is in error, if the matter can be rectified on the day of the voting on a referendum in order that the person can vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 266 to 268, inclusive, together.
The compilation of a register of electors is a matter for the appropriate registration authority in accordance with electoral law. In order to vote, a person's name must be entered on the register for the locality in which the person ordinarily resides and the person's citizenship determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. Irish citizens may vote at all polls, British citizens may vote at Dáil, European and local elections EU citizens, other than Irish and UK citizens, may vote at European and local elections and non-EU citizens may vote at local elections only. Electors are entered on the register according to their eligibility to vote based on information furnished by them to the registration authority; Irish citizens are shown on the register with no letter after their names; UK citizens have D after their names; EU citizens an E; and non-EU citizens have L after their names.
Members of the public are encouraged to examine the draft register of electors, which is published on 1 November annually, to ensure that their details are correctly entered on the register and to request their registration authority to rectify any errors, including inaccuracies in their voting entitlements. If a person is not included in the register, he or she may apply for entry in a supplement to the register which is published prior to polling day at each election and referendum. It would not be feasible to provide for a correction facility on polling day given the principal need to ensure the smooth running of the poll or polls. The compilation and maintenance of the register of elections is the responsibility of the registration authority while the responsibility for conducting a poll or polls rests with the relevant returning officer. Responsibility for ensuring that one's details are correctly entered in the register of electors rests with the individual.
