Register of Electors

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Ceisteanna (1025)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

1025. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way Galway City Council could issue a letter to allow a member of the public, who had been incorrectly removed from the register of electors, to vote without being on the register, while many other councils, including Tipperary County Council, could not issue a similar letter to persons who were also wrongly removed from the register; his views on the fact that some members of the public were granted a vote on the day of the referendum, while others were not; if he has concerns for the democratic process as a result of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21300/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local authority as a registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. Section 111(1) of the Electoral Act 1992, as applied to the taking of a poll at a referendum by section 32 of the Referendum Act 1994, provides that only a person whose name is on the register of presidential electors for the time being in force for a constituency is entitled to vote at a referendum in that constituency. There is no provision in law for making changes to the register of electors at a polling station.