182 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that (a) after 31 October otherwise qualified persons who are not on the special voters list have no means of rectifying the position (b) this places them at a disadvantage with other voters who are able to have their names entered on the register up to 15 January the following year, even though they did not appear on the draft register; and if he will take the necessary action, by way of amending legislation if necessary, to remove this anomaly and thus give the voters qualifying for the special voters list the same opportunity of being able to cast their votes as other citizens.

Under the regulations relating to the registration of special voters, the period for making application for inclusion in the list now being prepared expired on 31 October. Amendment of the regulations to alter the closing date would not be appropriate at this stage.