asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to have the electoral law consolidated as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consolidation of Electoral Law.
12.
A Bill to consolidate the Dáil and local government electoral law is being drafted but its introduction must await the enactment of legislation, at present being prepared, for the modernisation of those aspects of the electoral law which were not dealt with in the Electoral Act, 1963.
Will that include the repeal of the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act, 1923 and bring it forward into the general electoral law?
It has not yet been decided what will be included in this.
The Minister will agree that it is very desirable to have it all in one Act so that everybody can see where he is?
That is agreed, and it is being drafted.
Will it include a section extending the postal vote to commercial travellers and other sections, as was promised nearly two years ago by the Minister for Local Government?
There will be some provisions relating to postal votes.
Can the Minister give any indication when this will be published?
No.
In the lifetime of this Dáil?
Yes.
Will it be enacted before the next general election?
Yes.
We will hold you to that.
There is plenty of time before that.
Can we assume that the Minister will furnish the draftsman with a copy of the Constitution if he has in contemplation the consolidation of the electoral law?
I think he has one already.
Then he is better furnished than he was.