Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Tá dhá cheist gur mhaith liom a ardú. I gcomhthéacs an dráma ar fad atá ann maidir leis na hainmniúcháin do thoghchán na hUachtaránachta, sílim gur chóir dúinn díospóireacht a bheith againn maidir leis an bpróiséas sin ar fad. With the drama surrounding the nomination process for the presidential election, it might be timely for us to have a debate on political reform relating to that election in particular and the nomination process. There are different opinions on that and such a debate would be timely. The debate should also take into consideration the all-island context in that regard. For example, recently thousands of Latvians were able to vote in their national election for their president in Newry. The Government saw fit to appoint Senator Martin McAleese to the Seanad but if he was living in his home town of Belfast, he would not be allowed to vote for the next President of the country. Such a debate would be timely.