Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This amendment, the principle of which I am sure Senator Gavan strongly supports, requires for copies of the annual reports of the commission to be laid in an accessible manner on a website maintained by the commission. A number of these amendments return to the same measures. As the Minister is aware, these are measures echoed across lots of legislation. The reason they need to be echoed across lots of legislation is that Ireland has in recent years ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have also become very aware of the lack of digital literacy in Ireland. There has been very strong research in respect of access and literacy issues. We also have a mandate in respect of plain English and accessible language. There are a number of imperatives that it is important we start to reflect in our legislation and in how we communicate information.

Amendment No. 12 requires an annual report to be published in an accessible manner on a website maintained by the commission. Amendment No. 15 places a requirement on the commission to publish information pertinent to referendums in an accessible format. I know it was highlighted during the debate yesterday that it often does so but as I will come to in one of my later amendments, the fact that the commission does so is not the same as a guarantee that it will do so. These should not be discretionary matters but should be clearly provided for.

Amendment No. 16 seeks to require that information relating to referendums will also be published in print media so that those persons who may lack digital literacy are able to fully engage with referendum notices and materials. Ireland has one of the highest rates of digital illiteracy in the EU, according to the EU digital society and economic skills index. More than 40% of the population lack basic digital skills. I emphasise this fact repeatedly. The fact that many tech giant companies are located in Ireland may give a false illusion that Ireland has a high level of digital literacy but we have a low level thereof.

Amendment No. 17 deletes the phrase "as far as is practicable" from the provisions that require the commission to publish in the English and Irish languages and distribute such statements related to the referendum in such a matter and by such a means, including the use of television, radio or other electronic means, as the commission considers most likely to bring them to the attention of the electorate. The phrase "as far as is practicable" should be removed in relation to the means employed enabling those with sight or hearing disability to read or hear the statements concerned. We had a lengthy debate on this issue on Committee Stage. It is not sufficient for us to simply hope the commission complies. This is a new body that has been established but the previous referendum commission had a practice of making things available for those who may have a sight or hearing disability. The fact is that Irish Sign Language is a recognised language in the State. We have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is a basic provision that there would be access to that information. We should not have legislation which suggests a limitation around that access by the inclusion of the words "as far as is practicable". It is a right and, therefore, should not be subject to a caveat or given a diminution by including that phrase. It is not a nice thing to add on but is a requirement and the legislation should reflect that, not simply the practice of the commission.

Amendment No. 33 compels the commission to publish its review in an accessible format both online and in a physical format.