Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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383. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline any plans or work he and his Department have undertaken to extend the postal vote entitlement to those who are on holidays or overseas, on a temporary or part-time basis, on polling day, ahead of the upcoming presidential election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50103/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Electoral law provides for postal voting for a number of different categories of people. These are:

whole-time members of the Defence Forces,

members of An Garda Síochána,

Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners,

electors living at home who are unable to vote because of an illness or a disability,

electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day,

full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State,

prisoners, and

certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside.

In addition, Section 93 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for anonymous registration and a postal vote where a person’s safety (or a member of their household) may be compromised by publication of their details on the electoral register. Where a person is registered as an anonymous voter, that person is only able to vote by post.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, was established in February 2023. An Coimisiún's research, advisory and public information function enables it to carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.

An Coimisiún’s Research Programme 2024-2026, published on 10 July 2024, includes a commitment to examine the issue of postal voting. My Department will review this policy area once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.