Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
510. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the proposals to modernise the electoral registration process following public consultation in early 2019 in view of the publication of the relevant report in December 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20533/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to progressing this work including the simplification of processes and forms; a move to a system of identity verification using one's PPSN; a rolling register and a single national electoral register database.
Work is ongoing in my Department on developing a new streamlined registration application form to replace the current suite of forms. Further consultation with Local Authorities and others, including the National Adult Literacy Agency and the National Disability Authority, is planned to ensure the form is simple, effective and accessible to all citizens.
In relation to optional online registration, a technical evaluation of the Voter.ie platform being used by the Dublin Local Authorities will inform a recommendation to Government regarding the suitability of voter.ie for roll out as a national electoral registration platform.
A number of other reforms, like rolling registration, will require primary legislation. My Department is currently developing proposals in this respect for consideration by Government.
