Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator John Crown for bringing this Bill forward. He is keeping a promise on reforming this House. The Government made a promise about the referendum and we have seen no reform or change since. This is important legislation which proposes to change the way in which this House is elected and who can elect people to the Oireachtas. One of the important provisions in the Bill is the right of members of the Irish community overseas to vote in a reformed Seanad election. There are 120 countries in the world facilitating this type of voting and yet Ireland does not allow its citizens overseas, bar a few diplomats, to vote in its national Parliament. It is simply not good enough. On the eve of the anniversary of 1916-----