Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
254 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if persons with Down’s syndrome aged 18 years and over are eligible to vote in all elections and referendums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/04]
View answerPersons whose names are on the register of electors are generally entitled to vote at elections and at a referendum according to their citizenship. Detailed requirements in relation to registration, the right to vote and the procedure for voting are set out in electoral law. The implementation of these is a matter for local registration authorities and returning officers, as appropriate.
255 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will reconsider the way in which the word “Independent” is excluded from ballot papers in all elections; and if Independent candidates will be recognised as such in all elections. [18270/04]
View answerElectoral law sets out a procedure for the nomination of candidates including a provision enabling a candidate to include on his or her nomination paper, and which subsequently appears on the ballot paper, a reference to the registered political party of which he or she is a candidate. Persons who are not members of a political party may enter on the nomination paper the expression "Non-Party" or may leave the space on a ballot paper blank. Current legislation is based on the premise that the expression "Non-Party" indicates adequately that a person does not belong to a political party, and any change in this matter would require an amendment of the legislation.
