186 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many workers such as shift workers, including nurses and others, were unable to vote in the referendum on 18 June 1992 due to work hours; whether he proposes any legislation to cover such situations and so entitle the workers to vote by post, or by other means, or at another location; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

At the recent referendum, the polling stations were open for 13 hours, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and I believe that this provided a reasonable opportunity for electors to cast their vote. There are no proposals at present to extend postal or special voting facilities to workers of the kind referred to in the question.