Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch den Cheann Comhairle. Beidh mé go han-sciobtha. I want to deal with one issue. In September 2013, the Constitutional Convention voted to extend voting rights to citizens living outside the State. In November 2015, the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs made a recommendation to extend these rights following criticism by the European Commission. More than 120 states have provisions for their citizens abroad to cast their ballot in the elections of their home places. The European Commission has made it clear it would be possible to bring a case against this State to the European Court of Justice. The Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Joe McHugh, said there will be a referendum in early 2017. Can the Taoiseach confirm that this referendum will include extending the same rights to Irish citizens living in the North as supported by the Constitutional Convention? Previously the Taoiseach said he was waiting for an analysis. Has this been considered? When will it be concluded? If it is concluded, when will it be published?

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