The Government is planning a major review of the current electoral register and voting regulations, with a view to clamping down on electoral fraud.
The introduction of mandatory photographic identification at polling stations and the use of PPS numbers to prevent voters being included twice on the register are expected to be considered as part of the review.
The review is being carried out in the wake of a major reform in Northern Ireland, which saw the electoral register being reduced by nearly 10 per cent.
Yesterday a spokesman for the Minister for the Environment said that "the intention is to initiate a comprehensive review in the lifetime of this Government".
He said that the results of the review in Northern Ireland "had been noted" and would be taken into account during a review in the Republic.
"There hasn't been a body of work carried out on the register of electors for a considerable time now, and it is something that will be done."
He said the Government "had noted" the results of new regulations in Northern Ireland aimed at tackling electoral fraud, which saw the total electoral register decline by 110,000 or 8.5 per cent.
Under the new regulations, voters are required to fill out their details annually, providing an address and a national insurance number, to be included on the electoral register.
This data is collected on an annual basis by staff of the Northern Ireland Electoral Commission. The system is computerised to prevent double registration in different constituencies.
Under the new law, voters in the forthcoming Assembly elections are required to provide an official form of photographic identification, such as a passport or driving licence.