asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that all polling stations are made accessible to disabled persons and that sufficient facilities will be provided at all polling stations in the future to ensure this.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voting Facilities.
22.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to extend postal voting facilities to the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will review the present arrangements for postal voting with a view to including the following categories: (a) Irish diplomatic personnel on overseas duty; (b) semi-State personnel on overseas duty; and (c) members of Aer Lingus, the B & I and Irish Shipping Ltd who are in transit at election time.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23 and 24 together.
A working party was established in June 1982 to examine and make recommendations on a number of electoral matters, including access to polling stations for disabled persons and a scheme of postal voting for the disabled and others who may be unable to vote in person at an election. I expect to receive the working party's report in the near future and I will give its recommendations careful consideration.
Can the Minister give us any further information about the members of this working party, who they represent and when they are expected to report?
Taking the questions in reverse order, I expect to have a report in April from this committee. My information is that persons from local authorities involved in the electoral procedure have been involved on the committee.
Mr. Coughlan
Is it the Minister's opinion that having a polling station in a home for elderly people is a suitable arrangement? This is a type of hospital situation.
It sounds more desirable to have this facility made available to the people to whom the Deputy refers rather than ferrying people from hospitals and other institutions. I am sure the report will deal with that matter.
25.
(Dublin North-Central): asked the Minister for the Environment the number of non-nationals permanently resident in this country who are not entitled to vote in Dáil elections; and if the Government intend to introduce voting rights for such persons in time for the next general election.
26.
asked the Minister for the Environment if it is intended to extend the franchise in general elections to (a) British citizens permanently resident in the State; and (b) citizens of other EEC countries permanently resident in the State.
27.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make provision to enable persons who are permanently resident in Ireland but who are not Irish citizens to vote in Dáil elections.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 27 together. The Government have decided to extend voting rights at Dáil elections to British citizens resident in Ireland. The necessary legislation is being prepared by my Department and will be brought before the Dáil at the earliest opportunity. I am having the question of extending such voting rights to citizens of other countries resident here examined. The number of non-nationals on the current register of electors who are not entitled to vote at Dáil elections is 20,415.