The referendum is on whether voting rights should be extended to Irish citizens living abroad and in Northern Ireland (/PA)

A commission has been set up to advise on a referendum on extending voting rights to Irish citizens living abroad and in Northern Ireland.

Deputy Irish premier Simon Coveney made an order establishing an independent statutory referendum commission to explain the referendum and encourage people to vote in it.

The principal function of the commission – which has been established under the Referendum Act 1998 – is to prepare, publish and distribute statements containing a general explanation of the referendum proposal.

It will also promote awareness of the referendum and encourage the electorate to vote.

Irish citizens living abroad and in Northern Ireland would be able to vote in presidential elections from 2025 onward if it passes.

Mr Justice David Barniville has been nominated to act as chairman to the commission.

The other members are the Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy, the Ombudsman Peter Tyndall, the clerk of the Dail Peter Finnegan and clerk of the Seanad Martin Groves.

The Irish Government approved a bill to hold the referendum back in June.

PA