Irish citizens abroad should have the right to vote because they do not “cease to love this country”.
Currently, Irish people who move overseas are allowed to cast ballots in elections in the first 18 months after they leave the State.
In this regard, Ireland is different from other western democracies; Americans can vote for life no matter where they live, British citizens can vote by post for the first 15 years living abroad and there are members of the French National Assembly elected solely by voters overseas.
One argument often made against extending the franchise is that the Irish diaspora is much larger than other countries’ and many have few links to modern Ireland.
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Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, University of Galway law lecturer Larry Donnelly said citizenship is a meaningful connection.
“It’s not the diaspora - it’s Irish citizens who are resident abroad,” he said.
“This is one of the arguments that people who oppose voting rights tend to use against this idea, this idea that we’re going to be swamped by Irish-Americans.
“The reality is that citizens abroad should have the right to vote. If you look at the vast majority of western democracies, this is a right that is enjoyed.
“Ireland is an extreme outlier in denying its citizens abroad any say whatsoever once they are out of the country after 18 months.”
'Did they cease to be Irish when they left?'
Mr Donnelly added that in countries with provision for overseas voting, those who do cast ballots tend to have a strong interest in the outcome of the election.
“[They’re] people who tend to want to return, people who own property here, people who have pensions here, people who are directly affected by decisions the Government makes,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs estimates there are 1.47 million Irish citizens habitually resident outside the island of Ireland and Mr Donnelly said many still want to see Ireland flourish.
“Think about your own family for instance,” he said.
“All of us have people who’ve lived outside the State. Did they cease to be Irish when they left?
“Did they cease to love this country? Did they cease to be affected in some tangible but all sorts of intangible ways when they moved abroad?”
Presidential elections
In 2013, the Convention on the Constitution suggested Irish people living abroad be given the right to vote in Presidential elections.
Before that could happen, a referendum would need to be held and if it were, Mr Donnelly is in no doubt about which side he would support.
“The Irish President is the President of the Irish nation,” he said.
“That doesn’t just include people on this island, that includes people all around the world.”
The next Presidential election is due in 2025 when Michael D Higgins finishes his second term.
Main image: St Patrick's Day Parade in London. Picture by: Monica Wells/Alamy Live News
