Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For God's sake, we can hardly get the electoral registers right at home, whether in Kerry North, Kerry South or Kerry united. With respect, I do not know how in blazes one could compile an electoral register for the diaspora, scattered as it is throughout the nations of the earth. Given that we do not have diplomatic representation in half the countries of the world, how would we account for Irish people living in such countries? They would be disenfranchised under the proposed system. As I stated, this is a crazy proposal. Let us start again, because we are in the wrong place, one from which we cannot make progress. With respect, the Bill is fundamentally flawed, as the Minister of State said. While I respect the points made by all speakers, we must address basic issues such as the registration of electors, which is not dealt with in the Bill.