S.I. No. 409/2024 - Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 16th August, 2024.

I, MALCOLM NOONAN, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 4, 16, and 20 (as amended by section 56 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 (No. 38 of 2001)) of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 (No. 30 of 1937) and the Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2024 ( S.I. No. 268 of 2024 )), hereby order as follows:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.

2. The Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) Regulations 1938 to 2019 and these Regulations shall be construed as one and may be cited together as the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) Regulations 1938 to 2024.

3. The Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) Regulations 1938 are amended by substituting form EU1 in Part 1 of the Schedule hereto for form EU1 in the Schedule to the said Regulations.

Schedule

Part 1

FORM EU 1

Section 16

FORM OF NOMINATION

We, the undersigned, A.B. of _________________ in the _________________ of _________________ and C.D. of _________________ in the _________________ of _________________ being registered electors of the constituency of _________________ do hereby nominate the following person to serve in Seanad Éireann as a member for the said constituency.

We, the undersigned, being registered electors for the constituency of ___________________ do hereby assent to the nomination of the above-mentioned ___________________ as a proper person to serve as a member for the said constituency.

Note

Section 56 (d) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 amended section 20 of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 to allow for the inclusion of a photograph of the candidate on the ballot paper in a Seanad election. The Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, as amended by the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Prescribed Matters) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 set out the required specification of a photograph for inclusion on a ballot paper.

If a candidate wishes to have his or her photograph included on the ballot paper, they must provide with the nomination paper:

• A photograph in digitised format (passport size – 35mm x 45mm); AND

• Two identical printed copies of the photograph.

The photograph must be taken not more than 12 months prior to the day for the closing of the poll and must be of good quality, in colour and taken to a professional standard, showing the candidate’s full face, head and shoulders only, on a light background (any colour).

Each printed copy of the photograph must have the candidate’s name clearly shown on the back.

If the above requirements are not complied with, the returning officer may not include the photograph on the ballot paper. In these circumstances, or if no photograph is supplied, the space for the candidate’s photograph will be left blank on the ballot paper.

THE ONUS IS ON THE CANDIDATE TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS.

GIVEN under my hand,

12 August 2024

MALCOLM NOONAN

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These regulations provide for a revised form for nominating University Member candidates at Seanad elections.