Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would argue that they are for the following reason. What if the general election is held on a Friday? The last election was held on Friday, 25 February. The electorate could have voted on the previous Monday. What if major issues relating to a political party arise on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday? The good or bad news could influence the outcome of that election.On that Monday people were disenfranchised because they did not have that information when they cast their votes. Their votes are as important as those of people living on the mainland. Votes are the same, irrespective of where one lives. This undermines the constitutional rights of people living on islands. I argue that the view of the returning officer, important as it may be, does not carry the same weight as the constitutional rights of the people living on the islands. We are not going to create any impediments to the passing of this legislation but was the view, legal or otherwise, of the Attorney General's office requested or sought in regard to this amendment?