Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
6 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence if it is his intention to make arrangements with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to enable spouses of Army personnel serving abroad to have a postal vote in the same manner as the spouses of diplomats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9344/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has responsibility for electoral matters. I have received no formal proposal from interested parties regarding the provision of a postal vote for spouses of Permanent Defence Force personnel serving overseas. However, if such a formal proposal is made, I would be very happy to discuss the matter with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he indicate how many spouses could potentially qualify? Are statistics available to indicate the numbers who accompany their partners or spouses on such missions? Given the introduction of electronic voting, will he agree that it may be entirely possible to extend the franchise to members of the Defence Forces who serve abroad as it is to members of the diplomatic corps?
While I do not have responsibility for electoral matters — I did have for three or four years which may have been long enough — I see no reason we should object to it. The estimated numbers of people involved would be between ten and 15, which is a small number. Even a small multiple of that would be a small number. I will discuss with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government extending the franchise to the spouses or partners of Defence Force personnel working abroad.
I am sure the Minister will agree that one vote is often sufficient to make the difference between being a Member of the House and otherwise. We found that out during the last general election. Following a question to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government two or three weeks ago, he said he would consider carefully any request for such a concession from the Minister for Defence. I am pleased the Minister gave a positive response to the matter.
