Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support calls for a debate on improving the electoral register. One issue which must be discussed in that debate is the position of people who have permission to remain in the State but who are not Irish citizens. They had a vote in the last local elections but they will not have a vote in general elections unless they secure citizenship. Some of them are in this country many years. They work and pay taxes here and their children go to school here. They will possibly be in this country for the rest of their lives.

It is important that we address either the issue of them acquiring citizenship on time or allowing them to vote in general elections. It takes a long time to acquire citizenship. Many people have been in this country far longer than the period of time that is required to apply for citizenship and those who do not have citizenship are left in a limbo. They should have a right to vote and this will be an important part of any debate we might have about improving the electoral register.

I support the idea of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, on the GPO being used as a museum to commemorate 1916. Senator White spoke about the importance of history. It is important for everybody, which is why we held celebrations on the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. However, it should be recorded that James Connolly founded the Labour Party and was a member of that party when he was executed in 1916. There was no mention of that in the material produced——