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Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy and Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Local Government and Electoral Reform John Paul Phelan today announced the commencement of work on the establishment of an Electoral Commission.

The Electoral Commission will be established on a statutory basis and will bring together several electoral functions in an independent, dedicated public body.

The Electoral Commission will also include a new research and advisory function, which will inform the Government and Oireachtas in their consideration of reform to electoral law.

Minister Murphy said: “I am delighted to be bringing forward the establishment of an Electoral Commission which will bring added coordination to our electoral functions, and will significantly contribute to the development of our electoral system and policies into the future.”

The establishment of an Electoral Commission is a key commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government. Today’s announcement is informed by several deliberative processes – most recently the Regulatory Impact Analysis on the Establishment of an Electoral Commission and its associated public consultation process. This consultation indicated strong support for its establishment on a statutory basis, with a stepwise approach to the transfer of functions.

Minister Phelan stated “today’s announcement is a major event in the evolution of Ireland’s electoral system. I am confident that the new Electoral Commission will augment the high degree of confidence which people have in our existing system and structures.”

Work will now commence on drafting the General Scheme of an Electoral Commission Bill.