Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2004
191 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the disruption to schools due to the holding of elections on a weekday and during the school term, future elections will be held on a Sunday in order to minimise the disruption to the academic year for primary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/04]
View answerWhile there is no restriction in law regarding the day of the week which the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may specify as polling day, the appointment of a Sunday would require careful consideration of a range of matters: among these are objections on religious grounds, people being away from home, the likelihood of competition with sporting events, difficulty in obtaining election staff and increased staff costs.
All relevant factors are taken into account in a decision to appoint a particular day as polling day, including the need to facilitate the maximum number of voters while minimising any interruption to school work. The appointment of polling stations is a matter for the appropriate returning officer who may, under electoral law, use any school or room in a school for the taking of a poll or the counting of votes. Returning officers have been advised by my Department to ensure, in co-operation with school authorities, that school closure and disruption of school work are kept to a minimum.
