Register of Electors Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Questions (1083)

Paudie Coffey

Question:

1083. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the progress that has been made with the updating of the electoral register and linking it to PPS numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37990/12]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. This is done on an ongoing basis in accordance with the electoral acts. There is no provision for linking the electoral register to PPS numbers. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an Electoral Commission to subsume functions of existing bodies and my Department. Consideration of this commitment would clearly require an assessment of matters relating to the electoral register including linking it to PPS numbers. I will make this assessment in the context of considering the necessary measures to establish an Electoral Commission.