Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said any potential changes to allow Irish citizens in Northern Ireland to be allowed to vote in presidential elections may need a referendum in order to be introduced.
Responding to questions from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that "the extension of voting rights for citizens oversees is a complex issue" - later clarifying that this is how the legislation describes citizens in Northern Ireland.
The Taoiseach said that while the Government has previously indicated hopes to change the existing rules, this "would require a referendum".
Ms McDonald had called on Mr Martin to outline a "timeline" for when changes she said have been promised in programme for governments since 2016 will be sought.
Ms McDonald said a recent vote on the issue by Stormont is "a watershed moment" and that as a result the Government "must act now".
She said the upcoming presidential election later this year should in her view be "the last that excludes" Irish citizens in Northern Ireland from being able to vote.
In a separate exchange, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín told the Dáil that his party had sent an e-mail to all Oireachtas groups asking them to support calls for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland to be able to vote in presidential elections.
Aontú has recently submitted a bill on the issue to the Dáil Bill's office.
