asked the Minister for Local Government if he will extend the time limit for alterations to the draft register of electors from 15th January to 15th February, 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Register of Electors.
1.
I am satisfied that there is no necessity to have the time limits extended on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that in some counties at least, and certainly in County Galway, the draft register was not circulated to elected members until shortly before Christmas and adequate time was not given to publicly elected representatives to have the register properly checked? I am sure the same must apply in other counties. In those circumstances would he agree to the extension requested?
I am aware that even though they were prepared in time in some cases they were not sent out until 10th December. That was the latest date. There is nothing I can do about it. The regulations are laid down and 15th January is the date specified in the schedule to the regulations as the latest date for making claims. The registration authorities must publish a list of claims on 23rd January. The latest date for making claims to have corrections made in the list is 30th January. County registrars must complete their adjudications on claims by 28th February. There is really nothing I can do about this. I should like to tell the House that I am considering the issuing of a supplementary list before elections which will enable those who are late to be included in it. I would ask the House to bear with me on this.
Certainly this side of the House would welcome and support such a move, provided it is done in a proper administrative fashion. I would ask the Minister to check back for precedents, especially when the vote was granted to people of 18 years. There was difficulty then in ensuring that the register was being compiled accurately and in a comprehensive fashion, and the registrars were asked to be lenient on the question of applying these dates, and were asked to accept late claims, and did in 1973.
This has been suggested to them. Of course, despite the fact that the list has been made, the registrars can make additions to the list. I have suggested that they should do this. If we get the new proposal passed through this House, it will solve the problem for quite a long time.
We will agree if it is brought forward soon.
On the general subject, would the Minister have a look at the question of whether the period now operated for the purpose of publishing and examining the draft registers is the most suitable, since Christmas comes right in the middle of it?
I agree with the Deputy that it is not the most suitable. By practice it is the one which was operated over the years. If what I now propose doing is approved, it will solve all of those problems.