Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
75. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he plans to progress the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State as set out in the Programme for Government and affirmed in new Diaspora Strategy which was launched in November last year.
To this end the Government restored the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 to the Dáil Order Paper.
The Government has yet to consider the timing of the referendum. Before any referendum would be scheduled, relevant legislation has to be passed and, in light of Covid-19, any Public Health requirements taken into consideration.
