University panel voting reform
Senator Conway seeks debate on extending the university panel franchise and creating electronic voting, especially to enable blind and visually impaired graduates to vote independently; exchanges address the scale of the electorate and interrupting procedure.
We hope to see the publication of a Bill on the extension of the university panel. That is very welcome. It will increase the franchise to graduates of all universities and third level institutions. A person with a third level qualification will have a vote in the Seanad elections under this new panel. I request a debate on this prior to the publication of the Bill so that we can have an input into the legislation. We have the possibility of creating a modern, up-to-date online voter system, so that graduates would be able to log on, register and vote by e-mail. That would also be a step in the right direction towards equality - I mean equality for people with-----
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It would like hell. May I correct that? There would be 750,000 voters for the university seats and there are fewer than a thousand voters on the other panels. There is only one elector for the Taoiseach's nominations.
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Will Senator Norris please resume his seat? It is unfair to interject. This is the second time the Senator has interjected.
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A Leas-Chathaoirleach, if Senator Norris had the manners-----
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I was talking about equality for people who are blind and visually impaired who are not in a position to vote.
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Senator Conway, please do not get distracted, and continue with your point. I have dealt with Senator Norris.
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At present the blind or visually impaired graduates who need assistance to vote on the university panels must ask a third party for assistance, whereas if there was an e-mail or electronic form of voting they would be able to vote and exercise their democratic right without the need for assistance from a third party. This Bill gives Members an opportunity to be able to look at ways and means of taking a step in the right direction for equality and complying with our obligation under various laws including the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
Unfortunately my train of thought was totally thrown by that obscene interruption.