Vol. 536 No. 2
331 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the persons entitled to a postal vote; and the procedure to be followed for voters to obtain a postal vote prior to the forthcoming referendums. [13672/01]
Electoral law provides for postal voting by members of the Garda, whole-time members of the Defence Forces, diplomats and their spouses, electors living at home and unable to vote due to physical illness or disability and electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day. Full-time students registered at home and living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State are also eligible to apply for a postal vote. In order to vote by post, an elector' s name must be entered on the postal-voters list prepared by the registration authority as part of the register of electors. An application by an elector for inclusion in the list to be published on 1 February as part of the register of electors must have been received by the registration authority by the previous 25 November. With the exception of members of the Defence Forces and Irish diplomats posted abroad and their spouses, electors who are eligible for, but not already included in, the postal voters list may apply for entry in a supplement to the list which is published prior to each poll. The latest date for receipt of applications by registration authorities for inclusion in the supplement for a referendum is the date of the order appointing polling day at the referendum. The order appointing polling day at the forthcoming referendums was made on 8 May, 2001.
