John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no problem taking the Senator up on that offer. This issue has rumbled on for several years and there have been many meetings on it. I met the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, last week on the matter. This Commencement Matter is very timely and there is a general acceptance of the need for change. In the considerations prior to and at the forum, the possibility of a time limit such that citizens would have the right to vote if they had lived in the State within the previous five years or similar was raised but it was decided that that was too messy and that it would be difficult to agree upon a timeframe. Irish citizens with an Irish passport should be allowed to vote. There are other complicating factors. I have met with several groups, in particular in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, over the past few years. There is also the issue of where voting centres will be held. In many countries, they are held in consulates or embassies but postal voting is also a possibility. Much work has yet to be completed. The Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, and I will meet with any Member of this House, including Senator Ó Donnghaile, on this issue because the Government intends for the matter to go to a referendum of the people next year.