Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

We should consider allowing people who are going on holidays to apply for a temporary postal vote. When elections are held in May or June, many people are unable to vote because they have already planned to go on holidays for a period of time that includes the polling date. We should consider giving temporary postal votes to people who can submit travel vouchers showing that they have booked flights and consequently will be out of the country on the date in question. As such people pay taxes, they are as entitled to vote as anyone else. I share the concerns which have been expressed about extending the postal voting system, which is open to widespread fraud. However, people should be allowed to apply for a temporary postal vote in the circumstances I have outlined.

I agree with Senator McHugh that the use of the PPS number is the only way to update the register of electors. I understand that everyone is given a unique PPS number, which they keep for the rest of their lives, at the age of 16. Given that one can scan every product in a supermarket, it should be possible for polling stations to have a machine which would scan PPS cards. This would make it possible to double check who voted so that no one can vote twice. If Senator Kitt is in Carlow during the presidential election, he should be able to enter a Carlow polling station to cast his vote. Where he is located in the country should make no difference. He should not have to be in Galway to cast his vote. If, in the European elections, Senator O'Rourke is in Carlow, she should be able to cast her vote there.