asked the Minister for Local Government whether in view of the special circumstances which have arisen in connection with the compilation of the 1961-62 Register of Electors in Dublin on account of the fact that inspectors were engaged in the compilation of the register for a month before it was proposed to change the qualifying date to 15th April, 1961 from 15th September, 1960, he will take steps to defray the costs of the registration officer in sending to the head of each household inspected prior to the proposal to change the qualification, a special notice and claims form inviting applications before 22nd December next in respect of persons who will reach twenty-one years of age before 15th April next.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electors' Register: Officer's Costs.
28.
Mr. Ryan
As I indicated in reply to a supplementary question by the Deputy on November 17th, the responsibility for the compilation of the electors lists rests on the Registration Officer. If he should decide to take the steps indicated in the present question, the cost involved would become part of the registration expenses and the question of recoupment in accordance with Section 12 of the Electoral Act, 1923, as amended, would be considered.
Mr. Ryan
In view of the fact that there are particular circumstances this year which are beyond the control of the registration officer, in that the committee inquiring into electoral reform issued a report when the checking of residences was partly completed in Dublin, would the Minister not provide money to ensure that everybody who becomes 21 between September and April will get the same treatment as their more fortunate neighbours who were not inspected until after the change?
I think the Deputy will realise it is not just a question of money, whether provided by my Department or by Dublin Corporation. There also enters into it the difficulty which gave rise to the problem in the first instance, the question of the time factor. It becomes even more pressing in relation to the proposal implied by the Deputy in his question. Further, I understand that Dublin Corporation are about to consider what should be done. In the interval, I do not think I could do anything further except to reiterate that every possible means and publicity are being used to bring the matter to the notice of the persons concerned. That will be continued in an effort to get over what is undoubtedly a gap, of which we have been aware but about which we could do nothing more in the circumstances.
In view of the Minister's reply, would he not be prepared to bring the contents of his reply to the notice of the registrars in the various counties? That would be the only indication they would have that the Minister would be prepared to recoup extra expenses.
I have not said we are prepared to recoup.
The Minister is prepared to consider it?
Yes, where it arises. But this problem is not one that has arisen elsewhere other than in Dublin. That it arose in Dublin is due, I take it, to the fact that it is a big problem to compile the register and, therefore, work on getting the names brought up to date would have to start earlier than elsewhere. It is unlikely that this problem, even in diminished form, will arise in any other registration unit. If it does, and if extra costs have arisen as a result of the Act as it stands, we shall consider the matter.
If that is the Minister's attitude, it is important that the county registrar should know it.
In case they might be confused about what we are discussing here, there is no indication that any of them are finding themselves in the position that obtains in Dublin. It is only if such a position obtained elsewhere that this question could be related to other areas.
What is the special position in Dublin?
The special position is that part of the check was already done before any of the new ideas were brought into the register. They could not be brought in earlier because the Committee were still sitting.
As far as some counties were concerned, the compilers were engaged at their work as far back as July and August.
Would the Minister consider extending the latest date for receiving applications, 22nd December, to the second or third week of January? I think that could be done without creating any undue hardship.
Because of our experience, not only this year but every year, I agree with the Deputy that the time allowed is not long enough. But in view of the time factor involved here and the other arrangements made for the issuing of the register, I do not think we can do anything this year. However, I have been looking at this problem and I hope that we may be able to remedy the situation in the future.