May I preface my contribution by apologising for my late arrival. I welcome the Minister of State and I compliment Deputy Mary Wallace on bringing forward this important Bill. The essence of the Bill involves giving fair and equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process. It merits cross-party backing and is supported by the major organisations which represent those with disabilities. I understand a number of organisations made representations to the Government asking it to support the Bill.
The issue of providing accessible polling stations and the unfair discrimination caused by the lack of such facilities has been raised on many occasions. Members are familiar with constituents with disabilities who are faced with this problem. The essence of democracy is the ballot box, but ballot boxes are usually situated in rooms and buildings that are not accessible to some people with disabilities. For this reason Fianna Fáil stresses that another election or referendum must not be allowed to take place under the current discredited and discriminatory system.
The two basic principles of the Bill are that people should not be denied the right to vote at their local polling stations simply because they cannot walk, and those who cannot travel to their local polling station because of physical disability or illness should be treated equally with other categories of voters to whom the facility of postal voting is extended. The current position is that polling stations are situated close to people's homes. However, a quick assessment shows that a major percentage of such stations are inaccessible to wheelchair users. What happens? Presiding officers make special arrangements where these people can vote at home under the supervision of a garda.
The special voting system was introduced in 1986 which required that those applying for registration had to produce a statement of their sanity and capability of voting. This aspect was reformed by Fianna Fáil in 1992. However, I believe it is very intrusive and intimidating that people with disabilities must be supervised by a garda when voting at home. This indicates that they are less trustworthy than other voters. A full postal voting service includes members of the security forces and graduates of the universities, particularly those who vote in Seanad elections. Is it any wonder that people with disabilities who are intimidated in this way have disappeared from the register of voters in recent years?
This Bill suggests that polling and voting must be made accessible for people with disabilities. Sections 2 and 3 state that any building made available to serve as a polling station must be accessible to wheelchair users. It is the duty of local authorities to find accessible buildings. Returning officers will be obliged, where possible, to locate polling stations only in places accessible to wheelchair users and to make it easy to mark voting papers and place them in ballot boxes. It must be made as easy as possible for people with disabilities to vote.
Postal voting will replace the special voting system and will allow those unable to vote in person, due to physical illness or disability, to vote through the current polling system. If the Bill is implemented, this will be a welcome reform. Many groups and organisations representing people with disabilities informed me that the special voting system is so cumbersome that they would welcome this change. The Bill received cross-party support in the Lower House and there is no need for me to fight my case. We are in agreement on this matter.
In publishing this Bill, Fianna Fáil is saying that the widespread marginalisation of disabled voters in the electoral system must be challenged. We have provided the practical means to begin to meet this challenge. The Bill addresses the fundamental issue and commands widespread support among those affected by the existing discriminatory system. I ask the Government and the House to support the passage of the Bill.