asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give consideration to the holding of future local and national elections on Sundays; if he agrees that workers would not incur any loss of earnings and that it might lead to higher polls; if he is aware that Sunday elections are the norm in other EEC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Local and National Elections.
624.
The question of Sunday polling has been considered on several occasions in the past in relation to Dáil, Presidential, and other elections. I am aware that there are advantages and disadvantages involved in the proposal. For instance, while it would facilitate workers generally by giving them a wider choice as to the time of day at which to vote, large categories of workers, e.g. in transport, hospitals, hotels, have to work on Sundays. Voting on Sunday seems to have proved satisfactory in a number of the other EEC countries but I am not convinced that there is a strong case in favour of its introduction in Ireland at present.