Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 29:

In page 31, line 18, after "publish" to insert "in plain language".

Amendments Nos. 29 to 31, inclusive, are all amendments with regard to inclusion. It is important that we ensure we are expanding our democracy and expanding access to, awareness of and participation in our democracy. I should note that we have other amendments which I will bring forward on Report Stage and I hope to get to discuss today. They look to strengthen some of the measures in terms of gender equality in both representation and participation in electoral processes. Of course I strongly support the amendments put forward earlier in this debate with regard to voting at 16. As part of an expansion of the franchise, and given the immense significance of the decisions that are being made which affect their lives, young people should be supported to begin voting at 16.

These amendments address a few more specific issues in terms of access to and participation in information around referendums and elections. Amendment No. 29 is a plain language requirement which says that when the commission publishes information on materials about a referendum, there should be a plain language version of such information campaigns. Many people in the community can sometimes be dissuaded from engaging by complex or inaccessible language. If a decision affects people's lives, it should be communicated to them in plain English and in a way that is clear and understandable to them, in terms of access and inclusion.

Amendment No. 31 is similar. It proposes to delete the phrase, "as far as practicable", from the section of the Bill which provides "as far as practicable that the means employed enable those with a sight or hearing disability to read or hear the statements concerned". In fact, it is important that people have the right to hear and have access to these statements.A limit of practicability is not appropriate in something so significant. It should be borne in mind that Irish Sign Language, for example, is a recognised language in this State and indeed Article 9 the UNCRPD refers to persons with a disability being able to participate fully in all aspects of public life, including electoral ones. Again, the baseline is full participation and not an aspiration towards participation and, therefore, amendment No. 31 is important.

Amendment No. 30 is minor in that sense. It simply clarifies material should be published, including by the use of television, radio and other electronic media to ensure again that we have as wide a reach as possible and that we are not just technically publishing information but are, in fact, seeking to ensure the information reaches as wide a swathe of the population as possible. Again, all these amendments are in the spirit of strengthening access to key information. It is also important to note that online measures are certainly not sufficient given Ireland has one of the highest rates of digital illiteracy in the EU, according to the Digital Economy and Society Index. That we have 40% of people in this State who do not necessarily have digital skills is something that gets forgotten. Having information online will not be sufficient for them and that is why they must be supported to ensure they can participate fully in decision-making and electoral processes via full access to information.