asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that all polling stations are made accessible to disabled persons and that sufficient facilities will be provided at all polling stations in the future to ensure this.

23.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to extend postal voting facilities to the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

24.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will review the present arrangements for postal voting with a view to including the following categories: (a) Irish diplomatic personnel on overseas duty; (b) semi-State personnel on overseas duty; and (c) members of Aer Lingus, the B & I and Irish Shipping Ltd who are in transit at election time.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23 and 24 together.

A working party was established in June 1982 to examine and make recommendations on a number of electoral matters, including access to polling stations for disabled persons and a scheme of postal voting for the disabled and others who may be unable to vote in person at an election. I expect to receive the working party's report in the near future and I will give its recommendations careful consideration.

Can the Minister give us any further information about the members of this working party, who they represent and when they are expected to report?

Taking the questions in reverse order, I expect to have a report in April from this committee. My information is that persons from local authorities involved in the electoral procedure have been involved on the committee.

Is it the Minister's opinion that having a polling station in a home for elderly people is a suitable arrangement? This is a type of hospital situation.

It sounds more desirable to have this facility made available to the people to whom the Deputy refers rather than ferrying people from hospitals and other institutions. I am sure the report will deal with that matter.

25.