Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Seanadóir Moynihan agus lena fear chéile nua. Congratulations. I acknowledge and commend the President, Michael D. Higgins, on his many acts of reconciliation and peace-building over many years in elected office, with a majority of people-----

Under the separation of powers, the situation in this House and in the Dáil is that we are not allowed to comment on the President or his office. I am not impugning anyone. I am being helpful.

Ceart go leor. The Leas-Chathaoirleach's role is to keep us right, so he can consider me kept right. I will try to be as creative as other colleagues in making my next contribution, seeing that it is the first day back and all. There is no leeway, it seems.

The Senator can speak about events, etc.

I suppose "events, dear boy", events have proven that the debate as we mark our way through the decade of centenaries is live. The debate around partition, not just the historic legacy but the malign impact it still has on our lives, is in the political realm 100 years later and should not be shied away from, but should be addressed.

Ten out of ten for creative work.

I noted some discussion in the public discourse around the correct use of titles. Without commenting on the President or the office-----

The Senator cannot even imply----

I could not even imply. I think it keeps me on safe political ground to say that, while the President is in office, not all of us can vote for the President. As I have raised often in this House, I think it is a programme for Government commitment. We have reached a time past the restrictions where the referendum committed to to extend voting rights to citizens in the North and among our diaspora should be outlined. I ask the Leader to raise that with her Government colleagues as a matter of urgency. It is an issue that needs to be addressed and one the Government has committed to.

I did not want to let today pass without noting the tragic death of Antrim GAA hero Anto Finnegan at the weekend. Anto was a GAA hero for the county on the pitch. In recent years, following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease, he became an ardent campaigner in raising awareness about that horrible and awful disease. I extend what are, I am sure, our collective sympathies to his wife Alison, son Conall and daughter Ava. I hope I will get an opportunity at a further Order of Business to reflect a bit more on Anto and the contribution he made in life.