Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would welcome votes for all citizens outside the State for the presidential election. I am talking about the Seanad now. As the Taoiseach hinted, it will be a mammoth challenge. The returning officer of the Seanad will be an issue. In Dáil elections, we are able to rely on returning officers throughout the country. Every county council in the country provides a returning officer. The Seanad will be different. The Seanad office will be greatly extended. The budget for it will be another day's work, as the Taoiseach implied. Not every citizen will fit comfortably into the panels as they are constituted at present.

I will not delay further. There were references made to a subject I do not want to discuss here today but I salute the Taoiseach's recognition of conscience.