Press release
Statement on the Electoral Reform Bill
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The Electoral Reform Bill is the most comprehensive protection of our democratic institutions in the history of the state. It is a once-in-a-generation reform of Ireland’s electoral system which will make our electoral system and processes more streamlined, effective, inclusive and resilient into the future.
Part 4 and Part 5 of the Bill have been notified to the European Commission under EU Directive 2015/1535 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules of information society services, otherwise known as technical regulation information system (TRIS) notification process. The process provides an opportunity for stakeholders and the European Commission to provide comments or observations on the relevant provisions in the Bill and is standard practice in such pieces of legislation. Under the notification procedure, there is a 90 day standstill period following notification to the Commission to allow for the consideration of any relevant observations/comments received from the European Commission and affected stakeholders. Following the publication of a detailed opinion by the EU Commission on Part 4 the 90 day standstill period has been extended to 5 August 2022. The standstill period in relation to Part 5 of the Bill runs until 31 August.
Parts 4 and 5, having been notified in accordance with the Directive, will require a Commencement Order to be made by the Minister in order to come into operation and have legal effect.
Liaison with the Commission will continue and the relevant provisions in the Electoral Reform Bill will not be commenced before all comments, observations (including any detailed opinions from the Commission) have been fully considered.
The Electoral Reform Bill will ensure that our constitutional and democratic structures continue to be accessible, rigorous and respond to any potential threats to our electoral system.