Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on the launch of the Treasures of the Oireachtas Library this morning and extend a special thanks to the library staff. Táimid fíorbhuíoch daoibhse.

The Cabinet yesterday approved a Bill to hold a referendum on presidential voting rights, which I understand is scheduled for October. It will extend the right to vote in presidential elections to citizens living outside the State, including citizens in the North. That is an overdue but welcome and good development. At a time the British Home Office is disputing the rights of Irish citizens in the North to be recognised as citizens, this is crucially important legislation.

It is the norm in other states that citizens living outside the state vote in elections. This is a sensible and inclusive action and we should all call for a yes vote. Can the Taoiseach confirm the date of this referendum, and tell us when the Bill will be published and the Government's timeframe for it?

See this speech in context