John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Leyden's call for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to examine repatriation for emigrants from Ireland, particularly those who went to England. When looking at that, perhaps he could also look at housing those elderly and middle-aged men who still lives in prefabs here, often in deplorable conditions with no washing facilities. It is an indictment that such conditions still exist.

I agree with those Senators who mentioned the conversion of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the issue of home defence. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the report of the Law Reform Commission, with particular emphasis on its recommendation on rebalancing the law in favour of the home owner as opposed to the intruder? It is a remarkable about-turn by the Tánaiste and his Government colleagues but we must debate it as soon as possible.

I join my colleague Senator Bannon in welcoming the other U-turn announced last night by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, that there would be an extension for the deadline for people to be included on the electoral register. Many local authorities are having serious problems compiling the register and many of those who have been knocked off it have not been informed by their local authority. Will the Leader find out if the deadline includes those looking for special voting entitlements, such as postal votes for people who are ill or who are working or studying? I telephoned two county councils and neither could answer that question.

I reiterate Senator John Paul Phelan's remarks seeking clarification on whether people with disabilities, students and others seeking a postal vote are included in the two-week extension of the deadline.

The extension means officials are losing two weeks in the compilation of the draft register, as the 1 February deadline has not been moved. The electoral register will be published on that date, and the register existing on 15 February 2007 will be in operation for the next general election. Is this reluctance by the Government to move the deadline two weeks from 1 February an indirect announcement of an upcoming general election in February or March?