Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

Some 12 years ago I was my party's spokesman on emigration and I would support a debate in this House rather than a meeting of party leaders on the question of emigrants. It should not just be a question of representation in this House. As Senator O'Toole knows, the debate began with votes for emigrants, some 12 years ago. We stood on our heads looking for a way to allow emigrants to vote, and considering which emigrants would vote. The matter was abandoned because it was so difficult.

I would like a debate on representation here. The idea of a Senator representing emigrants would be very useful, although I know many Senators feel they represent emigrants in the debates we have had so far. It is more important that we discuss the welfare of emigrants and the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs in assisting those groups.