Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Last week, under Standing Order 30 I raised the matter of approximately 36,000 British passport holders on our electoral register who are unable to vote in the upcoming referendum on the EU constitution. I said this matter should be rectified, and the Leader kindly agreed to raise it with the Government to see whether these people would be entitled to vote in the referendum. Mr. Blair and the British Government have given a commitment that all citizens in the United Kingdom will be able to ratify the constitution, so why will 36,000 British passport holders be disenfranchised in our State when their fellow citizens will be able to vote on the matter? This is an EU-wide treaty and has nothing to do with our Constitution. It is a matter for the people of Europe as a whole to determine and ratify. I ask the Government, through the Leader, to raise the matter to see if a conclusion can be reached.

Some eight months after the first appeal from the Mahon tribunal, the Government has decided to amend its terms of reference to ensure latitude in aspects of its investigations and allow for the three judges to deal with three separate cases at the same time. When will this matter come before the House? Has the Leader information on this? It is important the tribunal be allowed to get on with its work as it sees fit in the context of its terms of reference. This issue should be expedited, considering the matter was first brought to the attention of the House eight months ago.