Know your rights: Voting in the general election

Know your rights A: Voting in the general election

Question

Can I vote in the general election on 8 February?

Answer

To vote in an Irish general election, you must be an Irish or British citizen, 18 years of age or over and registered to vote. This means your name must be entered on one of the following:

·     The main Register of Electors

·     The Postal Voters List (people who can vote by post)

·     The Special Voters List (people who are living in a nursing home or other institution)

·     A supplement to one of these 3 lists

The 2019-20 Register of Electors and its Supplement will be used in the general election on 8 February. The 2020-2021 Register comes into effect on 15 February 2020, after the election.

To make sure you are on the 2019-20 Register, go to checktheregister.ie, or contact your local authority, Garda station, post office or public library.

If you are not on the Register, you can:

·     Contact your local authority to check if you are on the Supplement to the 2019-2020 Register. If you are on the Supplement, then you are registered to vote in the general election.

·     If you are not on the Supplement, you can register to be included in the Supplement using form RFA2. If you have changed address you use form RFA3.

Forms must be received by your local authority before close of business on 22 January 2020.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by South Connacht Citizens Information Service CLG, which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0761 07 6330 Address: Boyle CIC, Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Know your rights: Drink driving

Question

What are the legal alcohol limits for driving?

Answer

It is an offence to drive in a public place if you are too intoxicated to have proper control of your vehicle. An intoxicant can be either alcohol or drugs, or both.

It is also an offence to drive in a public place if the level of alcohol in your blood, breath or urine is above the prescribed alcohol limit. There are different alcohol limits for experienced drivers and new drivers. New drivers are drivers with learner permits or drivers who have held a driving licence for 2 years or less, or people without a valid licence or permit.

The legal limits for fully-licenced drivers are:

·         50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood

·         67 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

·         22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath

The legal limits for professional, learner and novice drivers are:

·         20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood

·         27 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

·         9 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath

Gardaí can set up a roadblock to conduct random alcohol and drug testing. It is unlawful to refuse to be breathalysed, and you can be fined up to €5000, or be imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both. Penalties for drink driving vary depending on the amount of alcohol that has been detected in your system. The court will also take into account whether this is your first offence or otherwise.

All drink driving offences result in disqualification from driving for at least 3 months.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by South Connacht Citizens Information Service CLG, which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0761 07 6330 Address: Boyle CIC, Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. RoscommonInformation is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.