Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the reply. This is a challenge, and the question is whether the Government can solve the challenge. I am delighted to hear that there is research going on and I am delighted to hear some steps are being taken. The first thing that must be done is to recognise the real difficulty there is for people who are blind and who cannot have a secret ballot without having somebody else vote for them. We are capable of solving that problem. The Minister of State has touched on one of two ways in which we can move in that direction. We do not have much time, on the assumption that the Seanad electoral (university members) (amendment) Bill will come before the House some time soon. I hope the Government will see that it is possible to do something to ensure that the large number of people - although a small number of graduates - who are visually impaired have this problem solved. These people have to take part in a postal vote at home and must ask someone else to open the envelope, tell them they want to vote for A, B and C and then not know whether it has happened. These people need to have a solution and I am delighted to hear the Government is working on it. I urge the Minister of State to move as fast and as securely as he can in order to make sure this improvement takes place.