Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There will not be one in early 2017, as was referenced by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh. I commit to holding a referendum on the elections for the presidency. I had a meeting with the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Joe McHugh, quite recently and asked that the officials dealing with this in the Department expedite and bring together all the work they have been doing in respect of the range of problems and difficulties this deals with. There are 3.5 million Irish citizens resident outside the State, including those in Northern Ireland. The diaspora internationally is estimated at about 70 million. There is a need to be aware, therefore, that if we consider this, we need to look at the scale of what is involved, the number of citizens to whom the franchise might be extended and what the impact might be on the electorate and the administrative and cost implications that could arise. Issues that need to be considered are whether all citizens outside the State have the right to vote in presidential elections, if they should be limited to a particular category, or if it should be citizens who have been absent from the State for a set period. If so, what would be appropriate? Should it be citizens born on the island of Ireland only? Should it be passport holders only? The intention is that Northern Ireland citizens would be included here. It is a matter that would have to be looked at in the context of the Good Friday Agreement.

In reply to Deputy Martin, I do not think it will be possible to do it in time for the next presidential election. In respect of the 2018 election, the time would be very short to go through all of these considerable challenges, set it out and have it implemented. I might be wrong but my feeling is that it would not be possible. That should not preclude committing to the principle, having a referendum on it and putting in place the structure and facilities to do it. It is an issue people would need to speak on. It is important and I would like to see it happen. I have asked the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, to come back at an early date to look at the concentrated issues that have been raised there.

We had a referendum on children's rights to enshrine them in our Constitution. From a children's rights point of view, I have to treat all children equally. Those who have a challenge or disability have the same rights in our Constitution and are recognised in our Constitution as any other child. The question of the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an issue that was referred to already. We need to have legislation put in place-----

See this speech in context