Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I wish to raise two points from this legislation. As for the strategic investment bank, when should Members expect legislation to be brought forward in this regard? It has been a major policy position of the Government in respect of getting people back to work. As Members have heard already what is happening in Donegal, there is a need for such initiatives. One year after the formation of the Government, when will Members have sight of this legislation? The second legislative item is No. 66 on the legislative programme, namely, the electoral (amendment) (referendum spending and miscellaneous provisions) Bill. I note have raised this issue previously. The polling date for islands has been set for of May 28.

The Taoiseach will be aware that people who, owing to their occupations are entitled to a postal vote, are being denied their constitutional right to vote because as the date for polling on the islands is not announced on the same day as is the date for polling on the mainland they were not able to include that date on their application form for a postal vote and the date for such applications has now closed. It is wrong that this is happening on some of our larger islands in particular. For example, Arranmore, which has a helipad, to and from which ferries operated every day last year and which has a helipad.

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