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Ireland\u2019s Foreign Affairs Minister has reiterated the Government\u2019s commitment to holding a referendum to extend voting rights in future presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State.<\/p>\nIreland\u2019s Foreign Affairs Minister has reiterated the Government\u2019s commitment to holding a referendum to extend voting rights in future presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State.<\/p>\n
Simon Coveney said Ireland would be stronger for the inclusion of emigrants in presidential elections, and that the Government would work to provide the electorate with as much information as possible before casting their vote.<\/p>\n
He made the comments at a digital conference by VotingRights.ie on Monday discussing Irish citizenship, emigrants and voting rights post-Brexit.<\/p>\n
Mr Coveney said: \u201cThis Government is committed to holding a referendum to extend the rights of our citizens outside the state to vote in future presidential elections.\u201d<\/p>\n
He told the conference the office of the president represents all Irish citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur presidents have been a distinguished voice for the Irish nation, and for an inclusive vision of Irishness, embracing all Irish citizens, including our diaspora,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving our citizens around the world a voice to the highest office in the State will strengthen the bond between all Irish citizens irrespective of distance or location.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand the importance of this to so many Irish citizens around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision to extend this right to the diaspora will of course be a decision for the Irish people. We will work to provide the electorate, with as much certainty and clarity as possible in reaching their decision, but I look forward to making that case to the Irish people.\u201d<\/p>\n
A recent poll of more than 1,000 people in Ireland found 52 per cent of people were in favor of all Irish citizens with valid passports living abroad being allowed to vote in future presidential elections.<\/p>\n
The poll also found that 56 per cent were in favor of extending presidential voting rights to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.<\/p>\n
There are now more than 830,000 Irish passport holders in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Independent Ulster Unionist Claire Sugden said she subscribes to the idea that she is both British and Irish and that she is keen to explore what this means.<\/p>\n
But she said if she was asked to vote for an Irish president tomorrow she would not know much about the process or the candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know who the candidates are and I wouldn\u2019t know what they represent,\u201d Ms Sugden said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s the really interesting dynamic we have in Northern Ireland. The only candidate from the 2018 Irish presidential election that I\u2019d be somewhat familiar with is Sinn F\u00e9in. That gives rise to its own interesting conversations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would have my concerns about it for a number of reasons because in theory, why not? But with everything to do with Ireland and Northern Ireland, it\u2019s complicated. It\u2019s complicated with a past and it\u2019s all those things we have to take into account.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former president of the Ulster Farmers\u2019 Union and former member of the Irish Seanad Ian Marshall said voting rights for people in Northern Ireland was about bringing Ireland in line with other countries which give rights to its citizens abroad.<\/p>\n
Mr Marshall questioned whether British passport holders in Northern Ireland would be able to vote in presidential elections if they did not have an Irish passport.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that raises a question that everyone should be entitled to vote,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are those who will not want to exercise that right and that\u2019s understandable, but I think it raises a question of: is this only passport holders?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in senator Niall O Donnghaile said he was \u201cencouraged\u201d by results of the poll on presidential voting being extended to those in Northern Ireland, but added he wants an even bigger victory when it comes to the vote.<\/p>\n
He said the Irish Government now has the opportunity to prepare for a referendum and to channel away \u201cany negativity or ignorance out there\u201d about the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about rights,\u201d Mr O Donnghaile said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about enfranchising citizens. It\u2019s about a step forward. It\u2019s not taking anything away from anyone. It\u2019s not denying anyone their rights or entitlements.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also doing what is in the Constitution in terms of Article 2 which says it is our birth right to be part of the Irish nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what does being part of the Irish nation actually mean? Surely to god that has to mean a right to a vote.\u201d<\/p>\n