Mr. Art O'Leary:

I agree entirely with the Deputy's first point. In a previous life I spent 20 happy years in this building as a member of the Oireachtas staff. I spent 11 of those years in this room as director of committees. I absolutely understand the importance of the Oireachtas committee system as a political forum in which to start the debate and actually get things done. The work that happens in committees like this, which is why I am always delighted to come, is so important. It is in rooms like this that recommendations, ideas and information are gathered and where people can make a real difference.

The issue of accessibility and using schools as polling stations is absolutely valid. People have come to us and asked why we do not vote on Saturdays to obviate the need to close the schools. We voted on Saturday in 2020 in the general election and turnout was down by 2%. For many working parents, Saturday is like Christmas Eve. It is the time to do the big shop, bring the children to GAA, swimming and horse riding and do all of the things that happen in busy people's lives. In terms of this committee's perspective, that would have a profound effect on people with a disability because many of them do not have caring supports at weekends. They can be supported and transported to polling stations on weekdays but not on Saturdays. In that sense, it is a wider issue. We are going to do some significant research on advance, audio and postal voting in the next eight to 12 months. This will answer some of the questions the Deputy raised about the importance of making it easier for people to vote. We need to provide alternatives and I entirely agree with the Deputy's point that if people cannot see it, they cannot be it. The greatest advocates for people with disability in political life are people with a disability in political life. I entirely agree with that and whatever we can do to support that, as part of a wider engagement to encourage people to be involved, we will be very happy to do.