Don’t see anything wrong with that.

What about them, they’ve left the country?

and hope to come back!

@Karen, of course!

I’d be inclined to agree with Tom here! Leaving aside the backpackers who head off for a year’s holidaying about Oz, why should people who leave Ireland with no view of returning have a say in domestic politics here!?! I can appreciate they leave for a whole range of reasons but it’s leaving all the same & more often then not for financial gain!! My two sisters are to be included where they’ve both headed to Canada! Why should they, along with the others that have left permanently, have a say in something that won’t affect them!?!

If you pay tax in Ireland, hold an Irish passport, I can’t see why you cannot vote in Ireland. It is poor logistics on the state’s part, e.g. I would like to be able to vote in referenda where constitutional changes but I cannot. Americans can vote abroad.

If you pay tax in Ireland, hold an Irish passport, I can’t see why you cannot vote in Ireland. It is poor logistics on the state’s part. I would like to be able to vote in referenda where constitutional changes are decided but I cannot. Americans can vote abroad.

I agree with Geography Teacher. The French, Belgians, Americans and many other countries allow emigrants to vote. Some vote in their embassy, others by proxy and some even online. The vast majority of people who have been forced to move abroad to work (myself included) do plan on coming back to Ireland and therefore every election and referendum does affect these emigrants. If it’s good enough for almost the entire rest of the world, why not us? (http://www.globalirish.ie/issues/emigrant-voting/)

So you think the UK should disenfranchise all the Irish living there?

what is so special about citizenship? for most people it is merely an accident of birth. In contrast, I choose to live in Ireland and yet do not get to vote in referenda or presidential elections and only get a vote in general elections because of the pure chance of being born in UK. I believe that franchise should follow residency.

I could be wrong here but would this mean that people from Northern Ireland who have Republic of Ireland passports would be allowed vote, which would more than likely give Sinn Fein a huge boost….. if that is the case then “computer says NO”

@ David Thompson…. in my view computer says yes

lets not forget the ones who left in the eighties they would really like to thank FF.

Not all citizens have the right to vote… Those who have had to emigrate can’t vote. Although the government does want them to come back for “the gathering” and spend.

And you’d apply that to everyone or just immigrants?

Everyone (and I know what you’re going to say now re:my posting above!!)

Well that’s not going to be a popular move.

That would disenfranchise mothers and other home workers and all those on the dole! Should we go back to only allowing rate-paying business men? If you live here 3 years or more, you should have a vote. Conversely , expats should have a vote up yo 3 years, after that, if they are still living abroad, they should loose the vote.

Why should emigrants have any say in how the Country is run? Genuinely interested to fathom how someone can hold this bizarre view.
I absolutely don’t want someone in Perth or Dubai voting in Irish elections.

Ireland is one of the few democracies in the world that do not allow voting for those living outside of the country. Interestingly another one is Greece. Essentially the view is held that citizens of a nation are citizen regardless of where they live, hence they should play a role in how that nation is governed. The idea that we are one big global community.

Irish ex-pats still have rights under our constitution but have no representation. Many countries e.g. France, set aside small number of seats in parliament that are for emigrant voters. That way they still have a voice, albeit small and largely symbolic. It would seem to me to be a good solution for Ireland.

Interesting Stephen, thanks. I respectfully disagree however.
I find it truly bizarre that people who haven’t contributed to a society should seek to be afforded the opportunity to have a say in how a Country is governed.
Your passport should be enough of symbolic gesture as it doesn’t affect others. Voting does.

It’s a bit harsh to say emigrants never contributed to the country. I lived 28 years in Ireland before I left 2 years ago. I made more of a contribution in that time than than many people. No one is suggesting votes for grandchildren of Irish people who never set foot in the country. Or for some who left Ireland in the 1950’s and who has long since taken up citizenship. We are taking about the recent emigrants who grew up here, worked here but no find they have to move away rather than stay on social welfare.

Just to illustrate how crazy the system is: Even Irish University students on a Semester abroad are denied the chance to vote. They cannot vote in elections that determine their University fees, grants etc.

Even if you are on a career break as a teacher you cannot vote abroad. I think people who move abroad gain perspective and make very positive suggestions for improving Ireland and helping people get out of negative mind sets. The negativity, anger, bitterness and resolve to not change is evident in Ireland. The lack of positivity or willingness to give people opportunities is stifling.

Stephen, when you contributed to Irish society you were given a vote.
You are no longer contributing financially to the State (as far as I’m aware) so that’s where it has to stop as far as I’m concerned. No representation without taxation if you like.

Short term leavers, (your university example) of course they should be given a vote. If you’re a resident then I’ve no problem, not matter what your nationality is.
It’s the barstoolers giving out about “how bad it is back home” and who’ve no intention of returning I’ve a problem with giving a vote to, not a college student leaving for 6 months.

@Paul C, the true term is ‘no taxation without representation’ – it was corrupted in later times to suit a political stance. Having said that, Irish citizens abroad are not exempt from taxation (eg the property tax), so that whole area is out of kilter anyway.

So what? Your decision was to leave.
What on Earth makes you think you can have a say in what tax I pay when you live in the other side of the world?

Because it’s less crazy than someone who’s not even an Irish citizen having a say in what laws are imposed upon the Irish people.

Jim sure why don’t I just come back and draw dole on the tax your paying!

Because its married to an Irish women.

You could take citizenship.

Are you really asking what you pay tax for? Only a citizen should have the right to vote on a change to the constitution. Our constitution is so important. We are becoming to liberal, while I’m all for immigrants and diversity, I don’t think it gives them an automatic right

Michael, that should be ” it’s”.

Because you’re not an Irish citizen.

I think there needs to be a distinction between citizenship and residency…

Yeah I agree, all residents of the country, regardless of birthplace/citizenship should have the right to register themselves on the electoral roll and vote…

I’m in Australia now and while I keep up to date with politics in ireland I’m not convinced that irish citizens, migrants living overseas should have the right to vote – what constituency would I vote in? Would i vote for the TD for cavan/monaghan? How would they take into account my needs?

If there as suggested migrant seats for TDs in the Dail, how would they engage and represent how ever many million migrants? i would feel too removed from the situation to give an informed opinion. They would seem too removed from me, my views, my background, my current situation…

If we continue the logic that citizenship extend the privileges of residency then you could argue to extend the medical card to Irish citizens overseas? I could come home and get my eye test, my hearing test, I could register my daughter for all her health checks,… And extend the right to a pension, travel concessions when we’re at it…

Totally agree.

You have the right to vote.10 years is long enough.

I sm sorry but non Nationals including new EEC members from Eastern Europe should not have a vote until either they marry an Irish citizen or buy property in Ireland.

Comment of the week.

Damn, you cottoned on to my “personal crusade”. The one to ensure that there was no Irish homeland for the Irish……rumbled it seems

People who emigrate to America have no vote.Why should migrants have a vote in Irish affairs???

People who emigrate to America have no vote.It should be the same here.

Racist attitude? Please elaborate

Silent racism is also racism.
But worse is the ignorance.