Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy attends the citizenship ceremonies, as I do, she will know about the wide range of people from all over the world who have applied for and gained Irish citizenship in the past ten years and who are now on the electoral register.

On the Deputy's point about protecting people from undue influence, that issue was managed very successfully during the convention and I believe it can be managed again. It is a relevant point that needs to be considered. When the chairperson is appointed, there will be the possibility for expert groups to support the work of the chairperson and the assembly. Given the sensitive nature of the topic and previous history, let us hope we will not see the situation outlined by the Deputy. However, I have no doubt that it is something of which the chairperson will be very cognisant and to which he or she will pay attention. Obviously, people's private addresses will not be known and I hope that situation will not arise. Nonetheless, it can certainly form part of the discussion when the Bill is introduced in the House.

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