202. The Act of 1994 is amended—

(a) in section 2(3), by the deletion of paragraph (l),

(b) in section 13—

(i) by renumbering the existing section as subsection (1), and

(ii) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (1):

“(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b), where the Minister is of the opinion that due to local circumstances concerning an island, and taking account of advice from the local returning officer for the constituency in which the island is situated, it would be unnecessary or impracticable for the poll to continue on the island for the period referred to in subsection (1)(b), the Minister may by order, not later than the seventh day before polling day, shorten the period of the poll on the island.

(3) A poll the subject of an order under subsection (2) shall continue on the island for not less than 4 hours.

(4) Where an order is made under subsection (2) the local returning officer for the constituency in which the island is situated shall, as soon as may be after it is made, give public notice in the polling district in which the island is situated stating the day appointed under section 10 or 12 on which, and the period shortened by the order under subsection (2) during which, the poll shall be taken on the island.

(5) An order made under subsection (2) shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.

(6) In subsection (2), ‘local circumstances’ includes:

(a) the number of presidential electors on the island;

(b) the distance between a polling station on the island and the place appointed for the counting of votes under section 112 of the Act of 1992;

(c) advance forecasts of stress of weather;

(d) foreseen transport difficulties.”,

and

(c) in section 30, by the substitution of “section 86” for “sections 85 and 86”.