Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
242. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to enforce a neutral space within 50 metres of polling stations in view of reports of posters and the display of religious iconography in the vicinity and inside polling stations during the most recent polling day. [24010/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectoral law provides for a prohibition on the display or distribution of any notice, sign or poster, (other than a notice, sign or poster displayed by the returning officer) or card, circular or other document relating to a referendum, within 50 metres of a polling station. Contravention of this provision is an offence. I do not have a role in the enforcement of this matter. Complaints in the first instance should be made to the Local Returning Officer. Enforcement is then a matter for the Gardaí.
During the recent referendum some queries were raised with my Department in relation to the presence of bibles at polling stations. The reason that bibles are available in polling stations is that the electoral code provides for the taking of oaths or affirmations by voters in certain circumstances, such as, for instance, confirmation of a voter's identity.
If a voter is asked by a presiding officer to take such an oath or an affirmation it is up to the voter to decide which to take. The availability of the bible is simply a measure of administrative efficiency to facilitate this process of taking an oath. An elector may make an affirmation if they object to taking an oath on the ground that he or she has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his or her religious belief.
