asked the Minister for Local Government if in order to clarify and facilitate voting at elections he will arrange for blind voters to have a certificate of blindness for such occasions, so that the presiding officer may be in a position to evaluate the situation more expeditiously.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Voters.
35.
Under existing law a person claiming that he is unable to vote without assistance because of impaired sight must satisfy the presiding officer of the authenticity of his claim. There is nothing to prevent the production of a medical certificate. I would be reluctant, however, to introduce legislation making the production of certificates compulsory or, alternatively, removing the presiding officer's discretion, or an agent's right of challenge, simply because a certificate is produced.