Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Written Answers. - Voting Rights.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

228 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the situation in relation to parents assisting their handicapped adult children to vote; if firm guidelines are offered to presiding officers in view of the fact that there appears to be differences in interpretation locally; whether he supports the principle of handicapped people voting; his views on whether assistance in communication is required which in many cases can only be rendered by a parent or family member; if he will request greater understanding, particularly when a parent-adult child relationship is involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13671/97]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Dempsey)

I am fully committed to ensuring that persons unable to vote without assistance are facilitated to the maximum extent possible subject, of course, to conforming with the requirements to maintain secrecy in voting and to protecting the integrity of the ballot.

Electoral law provides for special arrangements to assist electors with a physical disability to exercise their voting right. An elector who satisfies the presiding officer that he or she is unable to vote without assistance due to a physical disability or a visual impairment may have the ballot paper marked for him or her by the presiding officer or by a companion. To act as a companion, a person must be at least 16 years of age, must not be a candidate at the election or an agent at the election or referendum. A parent or a family member may act as a companion for another family member provided he or she fulfils these conditions. An elector who satisfies the presiding officer that he or she is unable to read or write to such and extent that he or she is unable to vote without assistance may have the ballot paper marked by the presiding officer.

The manual which is issued to each presiding officer to assist him or her in carrying out the duties of a presiding officer at elections and referenda provides detailed instructions on the implementation of these arrangements.