asked the Minister for Local Government the arrangements envisaged for the registration as electors of the student population away from home if and when the necessary constitutional change is made.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Student Electors.
182.
The question of registration as electors of students who are residing away from home on the qualifying date is one for decision in the first instance by the registration authority concerned, in the light of the circumstances of each case. There is provision for appeal to the county registrar and, if necessary, to the Circuit Court.
Apart from the possibility of appeal and the general procedure adopted in regard to the compilation of registers, I take it that thought has been given to the likelihood of there being a grouping of students in any particular constituency if there is a school in the area at the time of an election? If they are at school and a long distance from home, if an election takes place it is not likely that they can vote. If they are registered at home and an election takes place, I cannot see all of them being allowed to go home to vote. Has any procedure been devised whereby there would be a likelihood that they could exercise their votes? It appears to me that if real effect is to be given to the provision of votes for these people in many cases the answer would appear to be a postal vote. What thought has the Department given to this?
The Deputy is raising another matter now. Am I to take it from his supplementary question that the Deputy is suggesting that a postal vote should be given to students?
I am not quite suggesting that but I think It may be the only answer to a problem that might arise when the registers are compiled, no matter what way it is done.
As the Deputy knows, postal votes are available at present only to members of the Garda Síochána and the armed forces and it would not be possible for the Minister to extend it to students just in this case. The matter of postal votes has frequently been discussed in the House. I think the Deputy will remember discussing this matter himself when he was Minister for Local Government and I am sure he is aware of all the difficulties involved.
Perhaps we are sidetracking due to the suggestion I put forward. I asked if consideration had been given to the problems that might arise where a large number of students are on a register.
Generally, the approach would be to register the students at their home addresses but different circumstances will apply in the case of different categories of students. If a student expresses a wish to be registered in a particular place the registering authority will take that into consideration.