asked the Taoiseach if it is his intention to extend the same franchise facilities to citizens of Great Britain resident in Ireland as those which Irish citizens now living in Great Britain have as of right.

The answer is yes. I hope that the Government will shortly be in a position to take a decision on specific proposals in this area. However, as I indicated in my statement to the House on 11 December last following my talks with the British Prime Minister, the implementation of these proposals may have to await the enactment of the British Nationality Bill, which will define the term "British citizen".

Is it not the case that the necessary changes can be made in this jurisdiction by order rather than by legislation?

There are a number of different ways of dealing with the matter.

That is one of them.

There was a suggestion at one stage in view of the reference in the Constitution to the word "citizen" that a referendum would be necessary. Has the Taoiseach checked out that situation and can he tell the House whether a referendum would be necessary to make this change?

There is a fairly clear-cut legal opinion which I am inclined to accept that the referendum would not be necessary.

I am not sure if I heard the Taoiseach correctly. Perhaps he would advise me if my question is out of line, but is it the Government's intention that one option would be to bring in a British Nationality Bill which would include British citizens?

The position is, and I am sorry if I did not make it clear, that at the moment a Nationality Bill is proceeding through the British parliamentary process and we would be wise to wait until that legislation is enacted.

A final supplementary.

When does the Taoiseach expect the relevant British legislation to be enacted? Is it open to him to act on the existing legal definition of "British citizen" in British law rather than wait, if this process is going to be a long one?

It probably would be, but I think most people considering the matter would be satisfied that it would be wiser to wait.

How long does he expect it to take?

Unfortunately the pace at which the British House of Commons do their job is not within my competence.

Ceist 4.

In view of the way our legislation is affected——

Would the Minister reply to Ceist 4?