BYC.J. MCGINLEY

POSTAL votes for the forthcoming general election are being denied to students from Donegal attending third level colleges in the north because of 'bureaucratic red tape'.

The claim was made this week by Senator Joe McHugh who said hundreds of students would be deprived of a postal vote if the election was called in early May and on a Thursday.

"I was contacted recently by two students, one from Kilmacrennan and the other from Quigley's Point who attend Jordanstown and Queen's University. They applied for a postal vote but got a reply from Donegal County Council saying that because they were not attending a university in the Irish state they would not be entitled to a postal vote," he said.

"This is not on. I have raised this with the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin because it makes a mockery of cross border co-operation. Hundreds of students will be deprived because of red tape that could be removed by the stroke of a pen," he added.

Hundreds of students from Donegal attend third level institutions in the North such as Coleraine, Queens, Jordanstown and Magee.

"The way the system is now a student from Bridgend attending Magee cannot get a postal vote, but if the were in Cork, they would," Senator McHugh said.

A spokesperson for Donegal County Council said students had to attend a college within the state to be entitled to a postal vote.

"This is part of government legislation and we are merely following those regulations governing such matters. If they want to come home to vote they can do so if they are registered. However, they are not entitled to a postal vote if they are outside the state," the spokesperson added.

"If an election is held on Friday and polling stations are open late it gives students a chance to return home to vote," the spokesperson added.