asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider extending the franchise to members of families of diplomatic officers who by virtue of their occupation are obliged to live abroad periodically and thus are unable to vote in elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

3.

asked the Minister for the Environment when he will make an announcement on voting rights for disabled persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.

I am at present examining the question of postal voting facilities for the disabled and others who may be unable to vote in person. In the context of this examination I will consider whether it would be feasible and desirable to extend such facilities to any categories of persons living abroad.

Could the Minister inform the House whether it is his intention to introduce legislation extending the postal vote to new categories of persons prior to the holding of the European parliamentary elections?

The Government will be considering a memorandum on this point and as soon as they have done that I will be in a position to reply more fully to the Deputy.

Could the Minister say if it is his wish, desire or intention — whatever he likes to call it — to seek to have legislation changed to ensure that the extended postal voting is available to the new categories in time for the European elections?

It is my hope and wish that any changes made in this area will be in time for the European elections.