Voters with disabilities have complained about lack of access to a number of polling centres in today’s referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
It was claimed that about 30 voters could not vote at a polling station in south Dublin, because it did not have a wheelchair ramp available.
Fine Gael councillor Mary Mitchell O' Connor said it was “disgraceful” that voters with disabilities had been turned away from the polling station at Knox Hall, Monkstown.
"Many of the residents from Cheshire Homes were very upset when they could not vote. They did not see an advertisement which was placed in papers alerting them to the fact that Knox Hall was not wheelchair accessible.
“In fact I did not see this advertisement myself,” Ms Mitchell O’Connor said.
Returning officer, County Sheriff John Fitzpatrick, later arranged for the Cheshire Home residents to vote elsewhere.
“Knox Hall or any other hall should not be used unless suitable ramps are provided for voters with disabled,” Ms Mitchell O'Connor said.
“The Government spent €50 million on electronic voting yet they are not able to provide simple ramps at polling stations Surely all voting stations should have wheelchair ramps.
“In 2008 this should not happen. People with disabilities are paid lip service. It should have been explicitly stated on polling card which polling stations are not accessible and what alternative arrangements are made."
Other wheelchair users, including a man in Co Wicklow, told RTE's Livelineradio programme he had not been able to enter the polling station but that a Garda had assisted him and taken his completed ballot paper inside the station.
Returning officer Breda Allen said the situation should not have occurred and she apologised to the man concerned. She said she would ensure that a ramp was available for any future votes.
Voters with disabilities may vote at an alternative polling stations if the local station is inaccessible, but they must apply in writing to the returning office rat least a week before.
They may also be assisted to vote by a companion or the presiding officer, or they may seek a postal vote.
The Department of the Environment says that polling stations are, whenever possible, situated in buildings that are accessible to those with disabilities.