Electoral Commission

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Questions (350)

Richard Bruton

Question:

350. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected timeline for the establishment of the electoral commission. [1037/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to having an Electoral Commission in place by the end of 2021.  On 15 December 2020 the Government approved the General Scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill which, inter alia, provides for the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission.

The General Scheme has been published and sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny. The General Scheme is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/34cf6-general-scheme-of-the-electoral-reform-bill-2020/.

My Department is working towards the establishment of the Electoral Commission in 2021, in line with the Programme for Government commitment and is progressing the legislative and administrative elements of its establishment.