asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider providing facilities for presiding officers and poll clerks to vote at the polling stations at which they preside in the coming general election.

There is already provision in this regard in the electoral law. Where a person is employed by a returning officer at a general election and his duties are such as to prevent him from voting at his normal polling station, the returning officer may authorise him to vote at another polling station in the same constituency.

Would the Minister not agree that the present position is that arrangements can be made for presiding officers or poll clerks to vote provided they are officiating within their own constituency? Would the Minister not further agree that if they are outside their own constituency there is no such provision and, according to the Electoral Act, they are prevented from leaving their station? Would he finally agree that, particularly in a Dublin area, the station they are presiding at may be only 100 yards from where they are living and still be outside their constituency and therefore they are deprived of a vote?

I accept that but to do what the Deputy asks would mean amending the Electoral Act.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister have time to do that before the election?

Not at the rate he has been answering questions in the last few days.

I have time to do lots of things.

Arising from what the Minister has just said, would the Minister not agree that an injustice has been inflicted on the presiding officers in depriving them of their vote? Would he not consider amending the Electoral Act to ensure that no citizen of this State is deliberately deprived of voting rights?

I will refer the matter to the Minister and ask him to give it favourable consideration.

In view of the fact that we are approaching an election, will he give it immediate attention?

Yes.

Could a postal vote be allowed in a case like this.

No.