Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to move an amendment to the Order of Business proposing that No. 13 be taken before No. 1. It is very pertinent that this topic should be taken, particularly in view of the debate we will have tomorrow.
According to an article in today's The Irish Times, the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, is investigating the possibility of giving the diaspora a vote in future presidential elections. It seems the Minister of State has suggested that a referendum will be necessary to facilitate this. I suggest that an alternative is already contained in a Bill that Senator Zappone and I introduced earlier this year. The Bill in question would enable the diaspora to have a vote in Seanad elections. A referendum would not be needed for this because Article 18.10.1° of the Constitution provides that "elections of the elected members of Seanad Éireann shall be regulated by law". In fact, the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, can give the members of the diaspora something much more powerful than a vote in the Presidential election every five or seven years. He can give them a vote in the Seanad election without needing to have a referendum. It is possible to do this. I believe it is worthy of consideration. I urge the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, to examine the matter. I am fully in support of his efforts to give a vote to the diaspora. I believe it would be much more useful and beneficial to the diaspora if they were to have a vote in this House, rather than once every five or seven years in the other House.
I would like to refer briefly to the pension problem that was mentioned by Senator Darragh O'Brien. People in north County Dublin are very concerned about this serious issue. It would be worthwhile to make sure we have that debate shortly.