Vol. 537 No. 5
404 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will change the arrangements for postal voting so that persons wishing to obtain a postal vote either due to their having become disabled or due to their discovering that they will be away during an election, can register for the postal vote within ten working days after the date the election has been fixed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17154/01]
Postal voting is confined to members of the gardaí, 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 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 home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State are also eligible to apply for a postal vote.
With the exception of members of the Defence Forces and Irish diplomats posted abroad and their spouses, 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 supplement is the date of the dissolution of the Dáil at a general election or the date of the making of an order appointing polling day at other polls.
The Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2000, provides for a number of new arrangements in this area, including an extension of the supplement facility for postal voters to members of the Defence Forces and diplomats and an extension by two days of the time limit within which an application for entry to the postal voters supplement can be made.
