69. (1) Notwithstanding the generality of section 64, the Commission may, in relation to the electoral register, commission or conduct research in relation to:

(a) the accuracy and completeness of the electoral register maintained by a registration authority;

(b) the activities undertaken by a registration authority in relation to the maintenance of the electoral register;

(c) the processes relating to the compilation, maintenance and functioning of the electoral register referred to in paragraph (a);

(d) any other matter considered by the Commission to be relevant to its functions under this section.

(2) The Commission shall, on foot of the information provided by a registration authority under section 20A of the Act of 1992 or by a designated registration authority under section 13B of that Act, publish and lay before each House of the Oireachtas, annually, a report setting out:

(a) such research, if any, carried out by the Commission under subsection (1);

(b) the Commission’s assessment of the status and functioning of the electoral register maintained by registration authorities and any recommendations the Commission considers necessary to maintain or enhance the integrity of the electoral register and the registration process.

(3) The Commission may—

(a) make recommendations to a registration authority in relation to the performance of the functions of that registration authority under section 20 of the Act of 1992,

(b) make recommendations to a designated registration authority in relation to the performance of the functions of that designated registration authority under section 13B of the Act of 1992,

(c) set standards for registration authorities in relation to the electoral register,

(d) make recommendations to the Minister in relation to such legislative changes regarding the electoral register and the registration process as the Commission considers necessary to maintain or enhance the integrity of the electoral register and the registration process.

(4) In this section—

(a) “designated registration authority” means a registration authority prescribed as a designated registration authority by regulations made under section 13B of the Act of 1992;

(b) “registration authority” means a county council, a city council or a city and county council.