Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012
127. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps that he is taking to establish the Electoral Commission to increase voter registration and to improve electoral integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49017/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a range of political reform measures a number of which are in my area of responsibility as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Many of the measures have already been implemented through legislation enacted in 2011 to provide for a reduction in the number of TDs, reduced spending limits at Presidential elections and time limits for the holding of bye elections, and legislation enacted in 2012 to strengthen the political funding regime in Ireland. That legislation also provides for the payment of state funding to political parties being conditional on parties having at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next general election. The Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012 was published on 5 October 2012 and will soon come before the Oireachtas for debate. The Government legislation programme includes an Electoral (Amendment) (Referendum Spending and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to be published in 2013 which will implement more commitments in the Programme for Government. Arising from the Action Programme for Effective Local Government I will shortly establish and provide support to a Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee to review and make recommendations on local electoral area boundaries in time for the 2014 local elections.
Following these tasks, I will be addressing the Programme for Government commitment to establish an Electoral Commission to subsume functions of existing bodies and my Department. Establishment of an Electoral Commission will be a major body of work. Issues for consideration include international best practice, the Commission's structure and functions, who it reports to, its relationship with other bodies currently involved in electoral administration, and the approach to be followed in relation to the extensive legislation that will be required, as well as practical matters including staffing and funding arrangements.
