Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983

Schemes for free postage for electoral candidates.

74.—(1) The company may, with the consent of the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment and, where appropriate, the Minister for Defence, make schemes for regulating the conditions under which free postage is to be provided under—

(a) section 50 of the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act, 1923 ,

(b) section 25 of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act, 1937 ,

(c) section 34 of the Presidential Elections Act, 1937 ,

(d) rule 18 of Part I of the First Schedule to the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977 .

(2) A scheme made under this section may amend or revoke any previous scheme made thereunder.

(3) The Minister, after consultation with the company and the Minister for the Environment and, where appropriate, the Minister for Defence, may direct the company to make or amend a scheme under this section and the company shall comply with that direction.

(4) Regulations made by the Minister under—

(a) the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act, 1923 ,

(b) the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act, 1937 ,

(c) the Presidential Elections Act, 1937 ,

(d) the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977 ,

shall have effect on and after the vesting day with the substitution of references to the company for references to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and of references to an officer of the company for references to an officer of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs as if they were schemes made by the company under subsection (1).

(5) A scheme made under this section shall have effect as if it were a scheme made by the company under section 70 .