87. The Act of 1992 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 13B:

“Designated Registration Authority

13B. (1) The Minister may by regulations prescribe a registration authority (in this Part referred to as the ‘Designated Registration Authority’) to establish, manage and maintain a shared database (in this Part referred to as the ‘shared database’) for the purposes of enabling the efficient performance by registration authorities of their functions under sections 13E and 20.

(2) The shared database shall include, in respect of the registration area of each registration authority, such information as is necessary and proportionate for the performance by registration authorities of their functions as registration authorities and shall contain—

(a) the information in the register of electors,

(b) the information in the pending elector list,

(c) identifying particulars (within the meaning of section 13E(7)),

(d) information provided in accordance with this Part and the Second Schedule used to compile the register of electors and the pending electors list, and

(e) such other supporting documentation provided in accordance with this Part and the Second Schedule used to compile the register of electors and the pending electors list, the storage of which is considered by the registration authority to be necessary and proportionate to the performance of its functions.

(3) Each registration authority shall use the shared database for the purpose of the performance of its functions under this Part, in accordance with section 13E, for the preparation and publication of the register, including by the storage, sharing and extraction of data from the shared database.

(4) Notwithstanding the existence of the shared database, each registration authority shall, on and after the coming into operation of section 87 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, continue to perform its functions under section 20 in respect of its registration area.

(5) The Minister shall, before prescribing a registration authority as the Designated Registration Authority under subsection (1), be satisfied that the authority has or has available to it, appropriate experience, expertise and knowledge to perform the functions under that subsection.

(6) The Designated Registration Authority may make and carry out an agreement with one or more registration authorities for sharing the cost of the management and maintenance by the Designated Registration Authority of the shared database and the related systems necessary for the effective functioning of the database.

(7) The Designated Registration Authority shall, on an annual basis and by such date as may be specified to it by An Coimisiún Toghcháin, submit a report to An Coimisiún on the performance by it of its functions under this section.”.