Laois couple in their 90's must get doctor's cert for Referendum postal votes

A Laois couple aged in their 90's who are incapacitated are among those forced to visit their doctor if they want to vote in this Friday's Referendums.

A rule that a GP cert must be included with an application to post votes, is forcing people with disabilities to pay to vote, say several Portlaoise Municipal District councillors.

This Friday, March 8, Irish citizens are being asked to vote on two proposed changes to the Constitution, the Family amendment and the Care amendment.

Fine Gael Willie Aird described the elderly couple's situation, speaking at a recent meeting of Portlaoise Muncipal District.

"I know of a husband and wife who are in their 90s and have two carers. They have to go to the doctor to get certs to be allowed to vote from home. It is an absolute scandal. This couple voted in every election.

"Only a doctor can give the report. GPs are completely overworked. Surely there is some other way. Surely a carer, a peace commissioner or religious leader could do it. They feel they don't want to be troubling a doctor.

"They are advertising to get young people to check the register and yet we have older people who will find it difficult. It's not right. They need to be looked after," he said.

It is ten months since Portlaoise MD Cllr John Joe Fennelly tabled a motion asking for the national rule to be changed before the 2024 elections, to their May 2023 meeting. 

With no change since, he slammed it as "an absolute disgrace".

"The electoral commission has made it harder. People with disabilities have to pay for their vote, to pay whatever their doctor charges. The doctor now has to assess and say how long a disability could last," he said.

He proposes that a carer, a district nurse, a peace commissioner or a Garda be allowed to sign the form.

Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supports the proposal.

"I know of a case where a couple went and were charged for the form to have their postal vote. They were charged for having the right of a postal vote. It's the same if you want to apply for housing on medical grounds. These people are not on a disability allowance for nothing. It's sad to see this now coming in for the postal votes," she said.