Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, to the House. From many discussions I have had with him over the years I know of his steadfast commitment to equality. He has demonstrated that in a practical and progressive way in the job he is doing and in the support he has given me over the years. I acknowledge the presence in the Gallery of Robbie Sinnott whose court case led the way in ensuring that we are where we are, which is at the beginning of a process.

This is a timely discussion, particularly following the presidential election ten days ago. The tactile voting facility, which was introduced following on from Robbie's successful court case, is in its infancy. It is a sincere and genuine start in terms of equality and facilitating people who are blind and visually impaired to vote. As somebody who is visually impaired, I wholeheartedly welcome it as a starting point but like everything that is in its infancy, there are teething difficulties, and there were teething difficulties during voting in the presidential election. It seemed to facilitate people casting their first preference vote in a reasonable way but when it came to determining a transfer, and if one was giving a candidate their number two or number three vote, there were much more challenges associated with it but they can be overcome.

The Minister of State's Department should establish a formal process of engagement with the National Council for the Blind. Its head of advocacy is Kevin Kelly, a great guy who worked the former Senator Mary Ann O'Brien for five years so he is well used to being around these Houses. It would be a worthwhile exercise if the Minister of State set up a working group that would include Kevin to deal with the teething difficulties. Every problem can be overcome. With the advent of information and communications technology I am sure there are other ways that the tactile voting facility can be improved.

It might be no harm for the Minister of State to arrange for an audit to be carried out with the returning officers to get feedback on issues that arose at polling stations. It would be a simple exercise. The remit of the working group I suggested the Minister of State might establish to deal with the tactile voting facility could be extended to examine the matter of accessible polling stations, where difficulties and challenges arose, and the way the book of guidelines that is issued to presiding officers could be improved upon.

I know from my experience that the issue of lighting in polling stations can be a factor. When one goes into the polling booth it can be very dark. Perhaps polling booths can be located under a light. Many small aspects could be examined that could improve the overall experience for people in exercising their democratic right. Many older people have told me that it is impossible to read the ballot paper because it is very dark in the polling booth. It is a logical issue to address but it is only logical when it is pointed out to us. We can improve on many areas. Following a few more elections we could be in a position where we would have the most accessible voting facility in Europe but we have a long way to go. I am totally convinced that the Minister of State, his officials and the Department are committed to this and want to make it happen. I am only too happy to give any assistance possible in that regard.