Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to reform the Register of Electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 14 June 2018
Ceisteanna (248)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government decided in March 2017 to accept in principle the main recommendation in the Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution that citizens outside the State, including citizens resident in Northern Ireland, should have the right to vote at presidential elections and that a referendum be held to put this to the people. In this context, the Government determined that work should commence on modernisation of the voter registration process to effect improvements in the registration of voters, which would also facilitate the registration of voters resident outside the State in the event of an extension of the franchise being approved by the people in a referendum.
While the current registration system has served us well, I acknowledge that there is work to be done to modernise the registration process and to make it more streamlined and accessible for electors. We need to ensure, on the one hand, that everyone entitled to be on the register is registered and that their information is accurate, and on the other hand, that appropriate measures are in place to counteract any possible abuses.
Work on scoping potential improvements to the electoral registration process, including proposals such as online registration, is now underway in my Department. This work is looking at, among other things, proposals made by the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in its report of the consultation on the proposed Electoral Commission in 2016.
Conscious of the importance of the register and its role in our democracy and the need to ensure security and integrity are key priorities for any changes being considered, the process being planned is expected to take 2-3 years to complete. This will include a significant consultation element at an early stage, currently anticipated in the Autumn, which will offer an opportunity to all relevant stakeholders and the public to contribute.