Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
45. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing PPS numbers as a means of allowing persons to come automatically on to the electoral register when they are 18. [11776/14]
View answerIn law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority – city and county councils. 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, including provisions in respect of the electoral register. Matters associated with the registration process, including linking the register to PPS numbers, would be appropriate for consideration by the Electoral Commission.
