My question relates to the Bill to amend the Constitution to extend the franchise at presidential elections. In 2013, the Constitutional Convention agreed that Irish citizens in the North and the diaspora should have the right to vote in presidential elections. Last October, the Taoiseach announced that a referendum to extend the right to vote in presidential elections to all citizens outside the State would be held in May. On 5 February, however, the Government decided to defer the referendum on extending the franchise until October. Will the Minister outline the timetable for the publication of the heads of the Bill, the publication date for the Bill, whether he is confident the referendum will be held in October, and whether a specific date has been decided?

Earlier this year, the Taoiseach laid out why the delay understandably occurred. A memo on the legislation is due before the Cabinet soon. In order to hold a referendum in the autumn, we need to ensure that the Bill is progressed through the House in good time. That will be up to the Oireachtas, but the Government will discuss the memo at its next meeting or the following meeting.