Constitutional Convention Recommendations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Questions (418, 419)

Gerry Adams

Question:

418. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to act on the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention to extend voting rights to the Irish diaspora. [2267/14]

Gerry Adams

Question:

419. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to act on the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention to extend voting rights to Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland. [2268/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 419 together.

The Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution, which recommends giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in Presidential elections, was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 26 November 2013. In accordance with the resolution of the Oireachtas on the calling of the Convention, the Government will provide in the Oireachtas a response to this recommendation within four months and, if accepting the recommendation will indicate a timeframe it envisages for the holding of any related referendum.