Vol. 401 No. 4
10 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to make the necessary arrangements to provide for the 1990 Presidential election in relation to (a) details of the polling day (b) the closing date for nominations and (c) the availability of nomination forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In accordance with section 7 of the Presidential Elections Act, 1937, the Minister for the Environment must make an order appointing the last day for receiving nominations, the place the presidential returning officer will sit to receive nominations, the day for withdrawal of nominations and the day of the poll if the election is contested. This order must be made on or as soon as may be after 3 October, that is the 60th day before the expiration of the term of office of the President.
No consideration has yet been given to the matters to be covered by the order.
As director of elections for Mary Robinson, the only declared and prospective presidential candidate, unless the Minister for the Marine enters the fray, may I ask the Minister for the Environment if he would facilitate my extra-curricular activities by making the information available as soon as possible?
The Minister has not considered the matter as of yet. The Deputy can rest assured that it will be carried out in accordance with section 7 of the Presidential Elections Act, 1937, which lays down the regulation.
I can assure the Minister that there will be a contest and that he need not concern himself with waiting until the expiry date or withdrawal of candidates.
The Deputy is introducing extraneous matter.
I can assure the Deputy that the agreed candidate will not be the candidate he has named in the House.
