Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2013
132. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a common process and common criteria across the local authorities for checking the accuracy of the electoral register each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42803/13]
View answer133. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the local authorities, when revising the electoral register, avail of other sources of information in addition to field workers calling to a property to determine if a registered voter is, or is not, resident at the property. [42804/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
The law in relation to the register of electors, as set out in the Electoral Act 1992, provides for the preparation and publication of the register of electors in their areas by registration authorities – city and county councils. It is their duty to ensure as far as is possible, and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. My Department has issued guidance to registration authorities to assist them in managing the registration process.
For the purpose of preparing the register, each registration authority is required to make house to house or other sufficient inquiry in their registration area. As part of this process, they may require individuals to give any information in their possession which the authority needs and they may require individuals to produce documentary evidence, including a birth certificate or a certificate of naturalisation, or to make a statutory declaration regarding their age or citizenship.
The publication of the draft register in November each year in preparation for the coming into effect of the register on 15 February following allows for corrections to be made. The public is invited to check the draft during this period so that people can make sure that they are correctly registered. Any errors or omissions in the draft should be brought immediately to the attention of the registration authority. Claims for the addition or deletion of names are ruled on by the county registrar who is a legally qualified court officer. The ruling is made in public and any person may attend and give evidence.
Also, if a person is not included in the register of electors currently in force but considers that he or she qualifies for registration - for example if they have come of age to register or if they have changed address - the person may apply for entry in the supplement to the register which is open year round subject to certain practical limits in the weeks before a polling day.
