Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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First, let us look at the decisions made. Inishbiggle Island in County Mayo has virtually never had a failed sailing. One could not have a failed sailing if one knew where Inishbiggle Island is located and the way boats sail to it from Ballycroy on the mainland. The distance is very short. In fact, one can walk to the island when the tide is out. People on the island vote two days earlier than their counterparts on the mainland. I do not know why a returning officer might be of the view that it would not be possible to transport a ballot box back to the mainland across a few hundred yards of seawater.

In the context of what the Minister of State said about talking to returning officers, I was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the four weeks immediately prior to the most recent general election.