Postal votes have already been cast, but the first polling booths for the European and local elections open at 8 this morning on seven western islands. The early vote has been arranged for "weather" reasons on the Mayo islands of Clare, Inishbiggle and Inishturk, and on the Galway islands of Inis Mor, Inis Oirr, Inis Meain and Inishbofin.
However, this has attracted criticism from local development co-ops on Inis Mor and Inishturk, which claim guarantees were given in the 1997 general election that islanders could vote simultaneously with the rest of the population.
The decision discriminates against voters living on the island but working on the mainland, said Mr Dave Fitzgibbon, island development manager on Inishturk. He said they would normally return early on Friday to vote. Mr Fitzgibbon said there was a regular ferry service, and helicopter service if necessary, which would help the authorities to have the ballot boxes returned to the mainland.
The weather excuse did "not wash" at this time of year, he said.
The Mayo County Registrar, Mr Fintan Murphy, has defended the decision. He said the priority was to ensure that those people who cast their votes could have their votes counted. During the presidential election, a "national consensus" was held back by the delay in returning boxes from one of the Aran islands.
