Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 345: To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will allow reservists to have a postal vote, the same as their Permanent Defence Force colleagues, in view of the fact that many reservists were unable to exercise their right to vote recently on the Lisbon treaty due to the Reserve Defence Force assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11343/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Permanent Defence Force by virtue of the nature of their duties and the likelihood that they could be posted away from their home base or overseas for lengthy periods, have a particular need for postal voting. While members of the Reserve Defence Force play a valuable role in the military organisation, the same considerations do not apply to them. The Electoral Act, 1992 provides for postal voting in certain circumstances for personnel of the Reserve Defence Force. I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the requisite flexibility was afforded to Reservists on voluntary training on the 2 October 2009, the day of voting on the National Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, to exercise their constitutional right on the day.