asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the fact that he is not prepared to grant postal voting facilities to certain classes of persons similar to those available in England, he will agree to weekend voting.
56.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voting Facilities.
55.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make arrangements to extend postal voting facilities in local authority elections this year to physically disabled persons.
57.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which the local authority elections will be held this year.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 56 and 57 together.
I have made an order fixing Tuesday, 18th June, 1974, as polling day and the period between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. as the period for the taking of the polls at the forthcoming local elections.
As I have already announced, I intend to take the necessary steps to make postal voting facilities available at the local elections. The detailed arrangements in connection with the extension of the postal voting system are being finalised and I hope to introduce the necessary regulations to give effect to the proposals in this House at an early date.
I am very pleased with the Minister's reply but could I ask him if it might be incorporated with the Electoral (Amendment) Bill now going through the House?
As I already explained during the debate on that Bill this is neither necessary nor possible. I can do it by way of order for the local elections. This I propose to do and subsequently to introduce the necessary legislation to make it possible for general and presidential elections.
Would it not be more suitable to have the elections on a Wednesday or a Thursday because many towns have a "half-day" on those days but not on Tuesdays?
Some towns have a "half-day" on Tuesday and some have a whole day on Monday and it is not possible to please everybody. The date selected was considered suitable.