To mark Saint Valentines Day, The National Campaign for the Arts held meetings around the country inviting the the arts spokespersons for the political parties to outline their arts policies in the upcoming general election. Click here to link to NCFA Flickr account and see pics of the various meetings.  A podcast of the Dublin meeting will be available shortly!

The Project Arts Centre, Dublin

• Mary Hanafin, (FF) 
• Jimmy Deenihan, (FG)
• Aengus O Snodaigh, (SF)
• Sen. Alex White, (L)
• Paul Gogarty, (GP)
• 200 Audience Members

Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway

• Eamon O'Cuiv (FF)
• Niall O Brolchain (GP)
• Paul Connaughton (FG)
• Catherine Connolly (Ind)
• Derek Nolan (L)
• Fidelma Healy Eames(FG)
• Eamon Walsh(ind)
• Colm Keavney (L)
• Tom Welby(Ind)
• Noel Grealish (Ind)
• 200 Audience Members

Crawford Art Gallery, Cork

• Kathleen Lynch (L)
• Deirdre Clune (FG)
• Dan Boyle (GP)
• Chris O'Leary (SF)
• John Adams (Ind)
• David McCarthy (Ind)
• Ted Tynan (Workers)
• Mick Barry (Socialist)
• Fergus O'Rourke (Ind)
• Diarmaid Ó Cadhla (Ind)
• John Gilroy (L)
• 80 Audience Members

Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick

• Peter Power (FF)
• Jan O'Sullivan (L)
• Kieran O'Donnell (FG)
• Maurice Quinlivan (SF)
• Cian Prendiville (Socialist)
• 70 Audience Members

If you are out of the country on election day you can arrange a postal vote. In Dublin you fill out a form available here. Get it signed by your employer and hot foot it to 32036 Ormond Quay by 5pm tomorrow! A postal vote then will be sent to you next week. If you have any questions call Natasha in Dublin City Council tel 01 2225035. For other electoral areas check the ‘franchise’ section of your local authority website for more details. 
 

It is not too late to ensure that your voice is heard on February 25th.

Here's how it works:

• If you are 18 on or before February 15th you can vote in the upcoming General Election.
• You can check if you are registered on www.checktheregister.ie by keying in your name and address.
• If you are registered you can also see the location of your local polling station.
• All residents of the Republic of Ireland, regardless of nationality or citizenship who are aged 18 or will be 18 by February 15th can register to Vote
• Registration forms are available from your local post office, library, garda station and local county council offices.
• It is still possible to register on the Supplementary Register up to 15 working days before polling day.
• Supplementary Registration form (RFA2) (Green in Colour) is used. This needs to be witnessed by a Garda.
• The Closing Date for receipt of Applications for the Supplement to the Register of Electorsis 15 working days before the Election and is published in local and National Newspapers in the run up to any Election and/or Referendum.
• Supplementary Change of Address (RFA3) (Pink in Colour) is used – A person who is on the Live Register in one County but who is now resident in another County may apply to be entered in the new county.
• Also, a person who has moved within the County between Local Electoral Areas may apply to be entered in the Supplement to the Register of Electors for the Local Electoral Area in which they are now resident. This RFA 3 form also needs to be witnessed at Garda Station.
• The form can be posted free of charge to your local County Council Office, i.e. Dublin City Council in the case of Dublin South Central voters.

Thanks to Peter Daly for putting this note together.