Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have referred to the Spanish Migrants Association which is lobbying on the issue of voting rights, but I am not sure on which side it is. Perhaps Mr. Garrigues might clarify the position for me.

My second question relates to permanency. In Cyprus, once someone has registered, that is it. Perhaps Spaniards are registered until they die. I was drawing a comparison with our system under which the register is compiled annually.

The issue the Commission is addressing is phenomenal for us because it argues in favour of electronic voting. Could external voting rights be implemented incrementally? Ireland has a limited number of embassies outside Europe, but we have an embassy in every member state which means that at least our citizens could physically attend these embassies. However, there is a European concern. Would we then create dual citizenship for Irish people abroad, given that, for example, in America or Australia we do not have sufficient embassies? The debate will continue because we have a long way to go.