Concerns voiced over polling station changes
THE CIRCULATION of a Draft Polling Scheme for the county drew concerns in relation to potential electorate area changes, as well as worries over moving polling stations outside of townslands.
County Secretary Pat Collins explained that the council was obliged to make a scheme, at least once in every ten years, dividing the county into polling districts and appointing stations.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was first out of the traps, voicing her concerns over the moving of the Clohamon polling station to Kilmyshal.
She acknowledged that this was because of the closure of Clohamon school but said people were not happy about the change, adding that they were hoping to secure another building to use as a polling station.
She pointed out that people were more likely to go out and vote if their station was nearby.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne wondered what would happen if there was an upcoming review of electorate areas. He also suggested that the council could start looking at locations other than schools for polling stations, remarking that while teachers might not thank him it would mean that kids would not miss a day in school.
Cllr Michael Sheehan pointed out that there had been suggestions that the number of councillors was to be reduced and he wondered if this review was teeing up for that. He remarked that the amount of work on a councillor’s desk was already immense.
‘Don’t worry, you’ll be in the Dáil by then!’ Cllr Paddy Kavanagh called from across the chamber.
Mr Collins replied that the Wexford scheme had nothing to do with what was going on centrally.
Cllr Tony Dempsey suggested writing back to central government and suggesting that they reduce the number of TDs and proportionately increase the number of councillors as they were more effective.
‘You weren’t saying that when you were a TD!’ Cllr George Lawlor bellowed back.
Mr Collins said any submissions or observations would be considered, including suggestions of replacement buildings in Clohamon.