Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Postal Voting

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2019

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Ceisteanna (100, 107, 110, 113, 114)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

100. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of Army personnel did not receive their postal votes for the most recent elections and referendum. [23752/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

107. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there was a delay in issuing postal votes to Defence Forces personnel for the 2019 local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23456/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

110. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if an investigation is taking place with regard to some members of the Defence Forces not receiving their postal vote in time to vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23563/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

113. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel who may have lost their right to vote due to the fact their ballot papers did not arrive in time for the recent local and European elections and the divorce referendum. [23750/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

114. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel who did not receive ballot papers in time to cast their votes in the recent local and European elections and the divorce referendum. [23751/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 107, 110, 113 and 114 together.

The nature of military service requires that all members of the Permanent Defence Force who elect to vote, must do so through the postal voting system as they may not have the option to vote in person. The Defence Forces place a very high level of importance on ensuring that all personnel are provided with the opportunity to register for and to receive a postal vote.

To that end, personnel are provided with access to registration forms, through the chain of command. A significant operation then takes place to ensure that those who are registered to vote, at home or overseas, are provided with postal votes, to enable them to exercise their right to vote.

I am informed that a number of personnel have expressed concern that they did not receive a postal vote. These concerns are being examined by the military authorities in the context of a review of the operation of the postal voting system with a view to ensure that processes and procedures are optimised. I have been informed that this review will capture the number of those affected. The review is expected to conclude shortly.

Barr
Roinn