Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Act 2024

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Further evidence as to identity or degree

14. (1) Where the chief registration officer receives a claim referred to in section 12 and is unable to verify under section 13 the particulars provided by, or on behalf of, the claimant, the claimant’s identity or whether or not the claimant is entitled to be registered in the register of electors, or where a claim is incomplete, the chief registration officer shall inform the claimant and may require him or her, where he or she has not already done so—

(a) to fill up the claim form in the presence of a member of the Garda Síochána or any notary or notary public,

(b) to satisfy the member or, as the case may be, the notary or notary public, as to his or her identity including, if necessary, by proof of photographic identification or by completing a statutory declaration, and

(c) to have the member or, as the case may be, the notary or notary public, on being satisfied as to the claimant’s identity, date, sign and stamp the form, or

(d) where he or she is unable, due to illness or disability, to attend a Garda station, notary or notary public, to have the form endorsed to that effect by a registered medical practitioner and to have the medical practitioner confirm the identity of the claimant,

and to resubmit the claim.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), where the chief registration officer is unable to verify that the claimant has been awarded a degree by an institution that is a designated institution he or she may require the claimant to obtain evidence in writing from the relevant designated institution, that the claimant was awarded such a degree.

(3) The chief registration officer shall, as soon as practicable following a request under this section, consider and decide on the claim and shall notify the claimant of the decision and, where the claim is refused, of his or her right to appeal the decision in accordance with section 18 and Rule 25 of the Schedule .