Should Irish people living abroad be able to vote in Presidential elections?
Michael D Higgins is due to vacate Áras an Uachtaráin later this year, meaning an election will likely be held to choose the country’s next head of state.
Currently, only Irish citizens over the age of 18 living in the Republic of Ireland get a vote.
By contrast, citizens of other western democracies - such as Britain, France and America - can register to vote. Is it time Ireland did likewise?
Dr Theresa Reidy of University College Cork told Moncrieff that most emigrants now have a much stronger connection to Ireland than past generations did.
“People who emigrate now, a great many of them come back and they come back for good,” she said.
“The vast majority of them come back for holidays.
“I think the image of saying goodbye to somebody on a famine ship and never seeing them again is out of date.
“Most of our emigrants are very deeply connected to social and family life in Ireland.
Dr Reidy added that there is also a “lot of evidence” to suggest emigrants would like more opportunities to participate in Ireand’s political system.
Main image: President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins vote. Image: X/@PresidentIRL
