Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 2

Written Answers - Postal Voting.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

219 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has considered the possibility of giving postal votes to those who are out of the country on holidays, pilgrimages, or those who are having operations or otherwise at the time of voting through no fault of their own, in view of the fact that many of these issues have to be booked or commitments given months in advance; his views on whether it is fair that people in this situation should be refused the right to vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9110/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Postal voting was extended in 1996 to electors who are unable to go in person to vote at a polling station by reason of a physical illness or physical disability. In addition, an elector, who is ordinarily resident in a hospital or in a home or similar institution for persons with a physical illness or physical disability and is unable to go to a polling station, may apply for entry in the special voters list. Postal voting was extended in 1997 to persons whose occupation, service or employment renders it likely that they would be unable to go in person to a polling station on polling day. This category includes third level students in the State. I have no further proposals to extend the categories of voters eligible for postal voting.