Enclosed nuns and priests are denied post vote

AN estimated 200 nuns and priests were denied the opportunity to vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum last week - because they are members of enclosed orders.

Members of such communities can only leave their monastry or convent "for medical reasons'' or to attend a family funeral.

Contact with family members is limited to four visits a year.

Fianna Fail TD Michael McGrath said he had attempted to get postal votes for the members of enclosed orders.

"Prisoners get to vote in jail so if we're going out of our way to accommodate their rights -- which I don't have a problem with -- we should give the same right to people who have given up their lives for religious orders," he said.

He was contacted by friends of the Poor Claires order in his Cork South Central constituency, who learnt that two of the dozen nuns in the College Road premises wanted to vote. He raised the issue with Cork City Council and Environment Minister John Gormley.

However, Mr Gormley said there were "no proposals" to alter the existing postal vote arrangements for members of enclosed orders.

Those currently entitled to a postal vote include Irish diplomats, people who are unable to leave their homes due to a physical disability, third-level students living away from home and gardai and Defence Force members serving abroad.

Mr McGrath said he intended to raise the issue again with Mr Gormley to see if the Electoral Act could be amended.

"I want to see if the policy can be changed because the current act provides for people who are away from home because of their employment. I think you could argue that members of enclosed orders would therefore qualify for a postal vote as well," he said.
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