22. (1) Subject to paragraph (3) , each candidate at a European election shall, subject to F69[section 61 of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011], be entitled to send, free of any charge for postage, to each F70[household in the constituency], one postal communication containing matter relating to the election only and not exceeding 50 grammes in weight.

(2) A candidate shall not be entitled to exercise the right of free postage conferred by this rule before he or she is validly nominated, unless he or she has given such security as may be required by F69[the relevant postal service provider] for the payment of the postage on all communications sent by the candidate under this rule in case he or she does not eventually become nominated.

(3) Where in a constituency two or more candidates at a European election are candidates of the same political party then for the purposes of this rule those candidates shall be regarded as a single candidate.

(4) The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate, by order amend the provisions of this rule.

(5) (a) The Minister may amend or revoke an order under this rule (including an order under this paragraph).

(b) Where an order under this rule (including an order under this paragraph) is proposed to be made, a draft thereof shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.