Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator has two surnames. I apologise.

The Senator referred to the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad. I accept it takes in the returning emigrants but we must be clear too that it is an interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad. It takes in everything. I am prepared to work with the Senator on the challenges therein.

The Senator spoke of the inherent rights of Irish citizens, what it means to be an Irish citizen, voting rights and the options paper. It is an options paper which will be prepared. In terms of a timeframe, and this puts on the pressure, in is my intention that we will have that options paper to consult with the wider diaspora for 4 and 5 May. They are coming home, they will be with us and it is only right that we consult them on that. Before that, a paper will be prepared by the Department. I can assure Senator Conway-Walsh we are working closely with them.

The Senator mentioned something pertaining to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. If she has specific details on that, I will raise it directly with the Minister.