Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
241. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn by An Garda Síochána to the significant irregularities in the postal voting system in County Sligo in 2019; if so, the nature of those irregularities; and his plans to ensure that such irregularities cannot occur again in any local authority. [27103/22]
View answerThe primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the operation of postal voting arrangements.
Part IV of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 and Part VII of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 provide for postal voting at European and local elections respectively.
Rule 117 of the Second Schedule of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 and Article 107 of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 provide that it is an offence to interfere with or destroy postal ballot papers. Rule 147 of the Second Schedule of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 and Article 121 of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 provide that a person who is present at the issue of postal ballot papers or present at the opening of postal ballot boxes shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the ballot.
Local authorities are responsible for the compilation and maintaining of the electoral register, including the postal voters list. The electoral register and the process that underpins it has served this country well but we all recognise that it can be improved and modernised to bring about a more straightforward and streamlined process of registration that makes it easier for people to register to vote and update their details. The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to a series of reforms including the modernisation of the electoral registration process. The Electoral Reform Bill 2022, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, includes provisions to modernise the electoral registration process. The provisions include additional tools for local authorities to update and maintain the register. These tools, which include the use of PPSNs in the process to facilitate identity data cross checks, combined with a simplified process for individuals to check and update their own information will improve the quality of data on the register and the overall integrity of the process. An annual report by the proposed Electoral Commission on the status and functioning of the register is also provided for, including any recommendations the Commission considers necessary to maintain or enhance the integrity of the process.
