Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I would like to ask a different question, which the Taoiseach answered before. The all-party committee recommended that the right of emigrants to vote in national elections — to the Dáil — should be confined to those who are ordinarily resident in this jurisdiction, and I support that. Will the Taoiseach confirm that he accepts that recommendation of the all-party committee? It remains to be seen whether the Government will change the system of appointments to the Seanad based on Senator O'Rourke's recommendations, but does the Taoiseach consider that it would be appropriate under the existing system to nominate to that House a person with an involvement in or an awareness, an understanding or a history of dealing with emigrant affairs?

The Taoiseach will have had a report of a recent television programme which highlighted the plight of many of former navvies living in hostels in rundown English cities. In their working years, they gave their sweat and blood in the building of Britain and sent money home to keep their families alive. Pride in many cases does not allow them to return home. Concern for their plight should be rightly reflected in the Seanad by a representative with an understanding and awareness of their condition. Does the Taoiseach believe appropriate recognition would be given by a suitable appointee to the Seanad? The Taoiseach has had the opportunity to make nominations in recent years; I do not know if he will in the future. Can we have his views on this?

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