Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

It must be borne in mind that postal voting is provided for in respect of certain categories of person and was introduced specifically with students and certain workers in mind. Since 1997, full-time students registered at home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State may apply for postal votes. Students need not be adversely affected by the timing of an election, given the provisions of the Electoral Act 1997. Similarly, people whose occupation, service or employment makes it unlikely that they will be able to get to the polling station have the right to postal votes. These good changes were introduced by the House to provide flexibility.

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