Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions to the debate. Divergent views have been put forward but it is the Irish people who will decide the outcome of the referendum, which is one of the great strengths of our democracy.

Senator David Norris referred to the nomination process for the Presidency. He is correct that there was a strong vote at the Constitutional Convention in favour of a recommendation to give citizens a greater say in the presidential nomination process. The Government has agreed that this recommendation be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht for consideration. The issue is not being ignored and we await with interest the recommendations of the committee.

Senator Paschal Mooney has often voiced his strong views on the diaspora and I take on board what he said in this regard today. The Constitutional Convention recommended that citizens resident outside the State should have the right to vote in presidential elections. The Government's diaspora policy was announced earlier this month, on which occasion we made clear that it will be necessary to analyse the full range of practical and policy issues that would arise from any significant extension of the franchise outside the State. This would have to be done before any decision could be made on holding a referendum to extend the franchise as proposed. The Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, will be undertaking that analysis in co-operation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora.