Ms Barbara Nolan:

We are not talking about the wider Irish diaspora beyond the European Union. We are talking only about those Irish citizens who have moved to other EU member states, because is not our remit to go beyond that. I acknowledge that there is another considerable issue, but it is not the subject of our recommendation of communication.

Deputy Kyne mentioned particular figures. I do not have figures with me but can try to determine whether I can find some. Mobility in the European Union in generally quite low by comparison with the United States. Roughly, only 3% of the entire population actually move to live and work in another member state. As we all know, the majority of Irish people do not go to European Union member states to live and work but to countries farther afield. There is an example of European Union member states allowing non-nationals to vote in national elections. As members probably know, this agreement is between the United Kingdom and Ireland under arrangements that predate EU membership for both countries. Based on the principle of reciprocity, Irish people can vote in British elections and vice versa. That is a case apart. We are talking about relatively small numbers.

It is true that electronic voting is much more widespread in continental Europe than here. It possibly makes voting easier, but I am not sure about that. We are mentioning ways in which voting might be made easier, perhaps by using electronic means and various technological advances, if Irish citizens living and working abroad were to be given the vote.

On petitions, I did not say Irish persons made those petitions. In fact, I understand many of the petitions come from British persons living abroad who, after 15 years, lose their right to vote in national elections. I mentioned Mr. Schindler, the veteran of the Second World War, who suddenly lost his vote.

As to whether it is binding, it is not binding and it is not the intention to make it binding. As I stated, the idea is we are pointing out what we see as a lacuna in the current arrangements. We are giving guidance to those member states concerned, in particular, on ways in which they could fix this, but it is not intended to go further, although we would like to see a reaction from Ireland and the other member states concerned as to how they see matters in the future. As I mentioned, this may be linked also to the discussion that is going on in the Constitutional Convention.