Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses and Deputy Ó Murchú. That concludes round one. I have a quick query.

As the witnesses and others have referenced, and as we are all aware, there are cases of people who have an access problem getting into a polling station. Do we have figures on the number of polling stations where we still have problems? Is there a follow-up from that? This is not specifically about disability but are issues followed up after an election? For instance, in my constituency there is an issue that does not relate to disability but to the extremely low level of participation in public and political life that Dr. Price referred to in her opening statement. The turnout in Limerick, for instance, which was replicated across the State, was very low last year. That is of great concern. In my constituency there was an issue with the ballot paper, which was not printed correctly. That led to a potential legal challenge for up to 30 days after the election. It was not a nice place to be for many of us who were candidates. Having legal people standing ready to go to the High Court on polling day itself is something we do not ever want to have to face again.

Thousands of people across the north side of Limerick did not get polling cards, which also reduced the turnout. Has there been any follow-up on that issue and other similar issues that I imagine were replicated across the State? I have probably broken all the rules of the committee by saying that because I tell people to stay within the remit of the discussion at hand.

I believe polling cards not being sent out reduces turnout among the entire population, including disabled people.