Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to make that point at the beginning of my remarks. I have not been in the Chamber for all of the Order of Business but I heard some colleagues refer to the developing situation in the North. I heard the Minister, Deputy Coveney, reflect on the latest stunt from the DUP in his remarks during last night's Private Members' business. My party will respond and give its own views in the course of the day. I do not want to pre-empt any of that other than to say it is important that we hold firm to the political unity that has been steadfast throughout Ireland with regard to the protocol, its implementation and why we need it. That chimes with the overwhelming majority of people in the North, across Ireland, throughout these islands and, indeed, across Europe and beyond.

I intend to submit a Commencement matter one day next week, upon which I hope the Cathaoirleach will look favourably, on the issue of the programme for Government commitment to hold a referendum on extending presidential voting rights to citizens outside this State. This long-standing promise and commitment from the Government goes back to the Constitutional Convention in 2014. The former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, on one of those occasions when the Government tends to go around the diaspora on St. Patrick's Day, went to Philadelphia and announced the holding of a referendum. We are getting close to that time again. I hope that as we emerge from the understandable health restrictions that were placed upon us as a result of the pandemic, the Government will be able to outline a timeframe for holding that referendum. I hope to speak more about that next week.