Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for being here and I wish him all the best in his role. In fairness to him, the convention was signed in 2007 and so I do not blame him for it not having been ratified yet. That said, this committee is anxious that it be ratified soon. As the Minister of State is the person in the hot-seat, the committee would like him to become an irritant within Government and, if told that the matter is before the Attorney General's office, to harass the civil servants to ensure it is ratified. We are reliant on the Minister of State, who I know is committed to this issue, ensuring this gets through Government.

On the Bill, head 3 deals with the deprivation of liberty. This is a difficult area. It is important that people at risk of self-harm are recognised in the legislation. I am slightly concerned by the Minister of State's statement that it is proposed to introduce sections on deprivation of liberty on Committee Stage. It is important that the Oireachtas would have ample time to consider such provisions.

I welcome the fact the Electoral Act 1992 will be amended to ensure that no longer will people of unsound mind be precluded from election to Dáil Éireann. I do not know how that was previously tested. One area we need to examine in the Electoral Act is the need to improve the capacity and ability for people with disabilities to vote. During election times, we meet people in wheelchairs or nursing homes who have to go through a process to ensure they get on the electoral register or receive a postal vote. We need to make it much easier for people with disabilities to vote in elections.

Obviously, there is also the issue with juries. People with disabilities have to be facilitated to serve on juries. While it might be provided for already in legislation, there are practical matters such as gaining physical access to a jury box which is difficult for people with disabilities. Has the Minister of State any proposals in respect of making it easier for people with disabilities to vote?