Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I am at something of a loss to understand the basis for the amendment. The provision as it stands provides under section 3(1)(b) that the application form must be either signed by the prisoner or if the prisoner is unable to sign, the applicant can make a mark which somebody will witness. Therefore, the provision exists already. I fail to understand how a situation would arise whereby somebody would be in prison and not be able to make his or her mark. I understand a person in prison might not be literate, but it is unlikely that somebody would be so incapacitated that he or she could not make some mark.

I apologise I had to leave the Seanad when the Bill was being discussed on Second Stage and did not get the opportunity to make this point. This provision is not appropriate for a person who requires specialised medical or other care. I am convinced the existing arrangements are sufficiently flexible to take into account all the circumstances we can foresee. A person can sign or make a mark. The amendment goes a step too far as the provision concerns only the completion of the form and not the actual voting. The point is the amendment has no great practical impact.