Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2001

Adaptation or modification of Acts relating to other elections and referendums.

48.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may by order make such adaptations of, or modifications to, the Presidential Elections Act, 1993 , the European Parliament Elections Act, 1997 , the Local Elections Regulations, 1995, the Referendum Act, 1994 , the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act, 1937 , and the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Acts, 1947 to 1972, as will enable voting and counting of votes at the relevant election or referendum under the said enactment or enactments to take place using equipment approved for use under this Part.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands may be order make such adaptations of, or modifications to, the Údarás an Gaeltachta Acts, 1979 to 1999, and the regulations made under such Acts as will enable voting and counting of votes at Údarás elections to take place using equipment approved for use under this Part.

(3) Any adaptations or modifications provided for by an order under subsection (1) or (2) shall—

(a) in every case be such as will result in the enactment concerned having effect subject to the same principles as the provisions of this Part are subject to, and

(b) in so far as is practicable, having regard to the differences between the subject matter of the Electoral Acts, 1992 to 2001, and the enactment concerned, be such as will, in the opinion of the Minister of the Government referred to in subsection (1) or (2), result in that enactment containing provisions corresponding in their terms to those of this Part in so far as they relate to the matters referred to in subsection (1) or (2).

(4) Every order made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either House within the next 21 days on which the House has sat after the order has been laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(5) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order made under this section (including an order under this subsection).