Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no evidence in the data presented to suggest that is something that happens, even where the diaspora or non-resident population is large.

The other issue is that of time limits. Again, the report is interesting in that regard because it highlights that a number of countries that currently apply time limits are doing away with them. The argument is that they are discriminatory. What they have is two-tier citizenship, with some people having the right to vote and others not. The strongest argument made in the report is probably that there is simply no justification for discriminating, particularly in an election such as a presidential election. On that basis, that is one of the strengths of the Bill.

I am worried that the departmental consultation paper seems to be offering many reasons we cannot do this now. Reference is made to the logistics of putting in place a voter registration system and facilities to enable people to vote, be it in the North or abroad. It is almost as if it would take many years to put in place such an arrangement. The committee should be stating this is something that should start to happen now and that we should register whoever can be put on a register in advance of 2018, subject to a referendum being passed. Even if that were only the start of the process, it would be a better way to start than delaying. That is all the more reason dealing with the Bill is urgent.

Let me raise a point with which the report does not deal. It is not specifically to do with the Bill, but it is worth the committee considering it. Obviously, if one extends the right to vote to everybody outside the State who has a right to Irish citizenship, the issue of Unionists arises. While they have the right to acquire citizenship, as we know, many of them do not want to exercise or vindicate it. I am wondering whether, in the legislative process, there should be some consideration of allowing Unionists living on the island of Ireland have access to the right to vote without forcing them to take up citizenship. They have a specific set of circumstances. Has any thought been given to this suggestion? Are there suggestions for the committee to consider in that regard? Legislation will eventually be brought back to us for consideration and I would like to see circumstances in which Unionists living in the North would have the easiest possible route to the right to vote in the election. Allowing for a right to citizenship as opposed to the acquisition of citizenship might be one means of facilitating what I describe.

Obviously, I support the Bill and would like to see us progress it through Committee Stage as quickly as possible.