merrion street

The Government has been very conscious of the need to ensure that the Irish people are fully informed before they make the very important decision on how to vote on the Stability Treaty Referendum which takes place tomorrow, 31.5.2012. The Oireachtas was informed of the date of the Referendum on the 27 March and since then there has been comprehensive coverage and debate in the media and the Houses of Oireachtas. The Department of Environment is encouraging the 3.13m registered voters to use their democratic right and get out and vote.

A copy of the Treaty has been delivered to every home and people have also received the independent guide from the Referendum Commission which explains what the treaty is about. Polling Information Cards, which have been sent to all voters by Returning Officers, will outline where you can vote.

The Department is reminding people that polling stations will be open between 7 am and 10 pm and of the need to bring with them to the polling stations the necessary identification that may be asked of them in order to vote.  If somebody loses their polling card they shouldn’t worry as they will still be able to vote once they have the proper identification with them and are on the register of electors. Again, the Department would encourage people to ensure they bring acceptable ID with them - (i) a passport, (ii) a driving licence, (iii) an employee identity card containing a photograph, (iv) a student identity card issued by an educational institution and containing a photograph, (v) a travel document containing name and photograph, or (vi) a Bank or Savings or Credit Union book containing your address in the constituency. The following are also acceptable if accompanied by a further document which establishes the address of the holder in the constituency - (a) a cheque book, (b) a cheque card, (c) a credit card, (d) a birth certificate, or (e) a marriage certificate.

Voting takes place in 43 constituencies nationwide  and there are approximately 3.13m approx. electors entitled to vote at the referendum.

Counting will commence on Friday at  9am  in  26 individual count centres nationwide. The overall result will  be announced from the Central Results Centre in Dublin Castle and the results will appear on

ENDS