asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider a scheme to allow commercial representatives to vote at general elections, referenda and Presidential elections even though they are not in their own constituencies.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voting at Elections.
3.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the fact that a considerable number of students will be doing examinations and away from home at training colleges et cetera, during the Presidential election; and if there are any means by which he can prevent their disenfranchisement.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
Under existing law postal voting is confined to members of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Twelve years ago a Joint Committee of the Dáil and Seanad recommended against extending these facilities to other categories mainly on the grounds of possible abuse. I intend to have this matter examined again but clearly it will not be possible to do so before the Presidential election.
Would the Minister agree that these people should be entitled to a vote?
I believe that everybody over 18 years of age in the State is entitled to vote.
Does that mean that they will be getting the vote?
I have already said that I will have another look at the matter, but it cannot be done for the Presidential election.
I assume that it will be done after the Presidential election.
No, the Deputy is assuming too much. It will be considered after the election.
That means it will not be done.
In view of what Deputy Andrews is saying, surely he must have been pressing this on his own Government and, if they could not do it for 18 years, he cannot expect us to do it in seven weeks.
You are in Government now. Discharge your responsibilities.
We will.
Do not always be throwing it over to us.
Does the Minister consider that it might be opportune now to set up a joint committee to consider reforms? Is he aware that many diplomatic staff are abroad, and that seamen and airline staff are out of the country on polling day, and that some facility should be made available to them? Would he consider setting up another joint committee of the Oireachtas to consider this kind of reform?
I can assure the House that all the points made and, indeed, all the points made in the previous recommendation, will be considered as early as possible.