You will be aware that the Lisbon Treaty referendum will take place on the 12th June 2008.  Over the coming weeks there will be three separate postings associated with this referendum as follows;

Referendum Commission Posting
This posting will arrive into the provincial mail centres on the 9th May and into the DMC on the 12th May. In total there will be 2.2 million items of mail. The items will be C5 in size, plastic wrapped and will weigh approx 56g. The delivery period involved will be one week.

Department of the Environment Posting
These items will be fed into the system on a phased basis at a rate of 150k items per day over 20 days commencing during the weekend of 10 - 11 May.  In total there will be 3 millions items of mail. The items are folded spot sealed and weigh 20g. These items must be delivered at least three days prior to polling day.

Department of the Environment Polling Cards
In total there will be 3 million items. Delivery of these items must be completed three days prior to polling day.

The following has been agreed with the Company:

Overtime arrangements in respect of each of these postings will be as for a general election.

One hour overtime for the Referendum Commission posting per one hundred houses
One hour overtime for the Department of the Environment posting per one hundred houses
One hour overtime for the Polling Cards per one hundred houses

This overtime includes the prep and delivery of the items. Pro rata arrangements to apply as follows:

20-35 houses 15 minutes
36-60 houses 30 minutes
61-85 houses 45 minutes
86-119 houses 60 minutes

Overtime requirements for the inward sortation of these items will be assessed by the DSM and discussed locally in line with previous referenda.