Seanad debates
Wednesday, 3 December 2003
Order of Business. - Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
The difficulties of people on the islands always come to the fore at the time of voting in an election. The Minister clearly stated in the strongest terms that people on the islands should vote on the same day as those on the mainland. Down the years we have seen last minute decisions that mean the islanders have to vote a few days before everybody else. With the introduction of electronic voting, it should be possible for this to happen on one day with the exception of those who have a postal vote and who vote some days earlier. Why should all those who want to vote on the same day not have that opportunity to do so? I hope this will happen and give islanders the same rights as everybody else.
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