There is a commitment in the programme for Government to hold a referendum to extend voting rights in presidential elections to our citizens living abroad. When will that referendum happen? We are hopelessly out of step with the European Union and the rest of the world in extending any kind of democratic opportunity to our citizens living in Northern Ireland and across the world. These are people who have a major stake in the future of Ireland. We know, for example, that 30,000 of our citizens returned home to Ireland last year. By the very fact of moving abroad, our citizens are denied the right to play their part in shaping the future of this country. We are completely out of step with so many other countries who offer this opportunity to their citizens. Ireland does not do so. When are we going to make it happen?

I thank the Deputy for his question. This is a matter that we need to focus on in the context of the all-island situation and the diaspora as well. At the moment we are focusing on several constitutional amendments at it is. One is on care and replaces very outdated language in our Constitution and the other is related to the programme for Government commitment on housing. The Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien, is considering reports on that at present. On the issue of votes for the diaspora and for all citizens on this island, I will ask the line Minister to revert to Deputy Cannon directly.