Postal Voting.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004

Tuesday, 27 April 2004

Questions (726, 727, 728)

Seán Haughey

Question:

784 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the categories of persons entitled to a postal vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11328/04]

Gay Mitchell

Question:

812 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 will be allowed to vote by post. [11668/04]

Richard Bruton

Question:

818 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has made arrangements to permit persons who will be away on holidays on 11 June 2004 to exercise their franchise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11748/04]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 784, 812 and 818 together.

Electoral law provides for postal voting by members of the Garda Síochána, whole-time members of the Defence Forces, Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses, electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or disability, certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside 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 their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State are also eligible to apply for a postal vote. 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 postal votes list for the polls to be held on 11 June 2004 will be not later than two days following the date of the last polling day order to be made.

There are no proposals to extend the range of postal voter categories to include persons who are away on holidays.