Vol. 568 No. 5
90 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to his review of the Electoral Acts; the specific provisions being reviewed; when he expects the review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16517/03]
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has indicated his intention to undertake a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act 1997. Since its enactment, the 1997 Act has been amended on a number of occasions. In addition, the Act's provisions have now been used at all elections covered by the Act, including the general election in May 2002. It is, therefore, opportune to review its provisions following experience gained at the various elections.
The Minister has asked the Standards in Public Office Commission for a report on the commission's views on the operation of the Act's provisions, particularly in relation to the 2002 general election. Regard will also be had to the contents of the commission's report on election expenditure at the 2002 general election which was published last week.
It is envisaged that the review will be completed within as short a timescale as possible. However, the Minister also considers that a broadly based consultation on this matter involving inter alia the political parties, is desirable and it is intended to allow time also for this.
