Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Before the summer recess, I asked the Leader to arrange a debate on the report that was compiled by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government following its visit to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland to examine the manner in which the electoral register for that jurisdiction is compiled. I am sure we will hear the usual barrage of complaints about this country's register in the aftermath of the upcoming referendum on the Lisbon treaty. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the matter as soon as possible, so Senators on all sides can make positive and welcome suggestions about how our register of electors can be improved.

I would like to mention, in the context of the forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon treaty, that a former Member of this House, Mr. Des Hanafin, has issued a statement on the position on abortion that is held by certain groups. The comments of the former Senator, who is a long-standing champion of the right to life of the unborn, should clarify in the minds of everyone that this referendum will not facilitate abortion. Just as there is none so blind as he who will not see, however, there is none so deaf as he who will not hear. It is important that the former Senator Hanafin has made his statement and that a Catholic bishop has made similar comments.