On Tuesday last and this afternoon I attended meetings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht where discussions took place on the establishment of an electoral commission and it was quite worrying to hear about the many issues in our current system, particularly the registration process. The Taoiseach might be aware I raised similar issues here after last year’s local elections, where there were some problems with the supplementary register process in County Leitrim. When will the electoral commission Bill be published and brought before the House for debate? It is something this country needs.

The consultation paper is before the committee. That is why Deputies are entitled to give their views on it. Following that analysis the Bill will be drafted. It is an important issue.