asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange for discussions with the British Prime Minister on recent suggestions by the Conservative Party that voting rights should be withdrawn from the Irish in Britain; if it is proposed to obtain European Community agreement on the granting of voting rights in national elections to citizens of other member states subject to a minimum residential qualification; and if so if a referendum will be held to provide for any necessary constitutional changes.

I am not aware of any official British proposals to alter the status of Irish citizens resident in Britain including their voting rights there and I do not accordingly think that discussions as suggested by the Deputy arise.

The Commission of the European Community have not submitted to the Council of Ministers any proposal whereby Community citizens resident abroad in another member state would be granted voting rights in national elections of such member state.

Is the Minister not aware that suggestions have been raised in the UK with regard to withdrawing the voting of Irish citizens?

Not in any official capacity. I am talking about Government to Government relations. There is no question of this matter being raised by the British Government with the Irish Government.

I appreciate that. Does the Minister feel that the suggestion made in regard to mutual voting rights amongst the EEC would be worth following up?

That is a matter of interest.

Would the Minister discuss it with his colleagues at EEC level and test the reaction to it?

I will.

Would the Minister agree that if such an arrangement were made it would resolve the problem that may or may not arise in the UK?

I will have the matter looked at and will write to the Deputy about it.