Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mar atá ráite ag mo chomhghleacaithe, tá sé deas a bheith abhaile arís. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an mhéid atá ráite ag daoine eile ó thaobh an sár-jab atá déanta ag na hoibrithe san áit seo. Tá cuma ar dóigh ar an áit. Go maire an áit seo an céad agus níos faide ar aghaidh.

It is difficult not to reference the political chaos across the Irish Sea. At this stage, I suggest that Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come to address the House on the latest Brexit developments and the preparedness of the Government in response to what is happening.

On a separate note, I want to welcome the publication of the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019. It is something I have called for on a number of occasions since coming into the House, along with my colleague, Senator Lawless, who has done valiant work with the Government and diaspora networks around the world to ensure that the first tangible step of the process has come to pass. In welcoming the publication of the Bill, which is the first tangible step towards the realisation of this right and entitlement for citizens, namely, the right to vote for our President, I want to commend the relevant Ministers and their departmental officials who have worked diligently on what has been a complicated and complex set of proposals and legislation. In appreciating that work, I am not diminishing it for a second. What the Bill seeks to do is something very basic and simple, namely, to enfranchise Irish citizens no matter where in Ireland or the world they reside with that most basic entitlement of any citizen, that is, the right to vote.