LABOUR PRESIDENTIAL candidate Michael D Higgins has said that Irish people who move abroad should be allowed to vote in future presidential elections.

In a speech at the London Irish Centre, he said members of the diaspora had made “a central contribution to the development of our country”, and that their voices should be heard at the polls. He suggested that people already on the electoral register should be able to vote in “some or all of our elections” for five or ten years after leaving Ireland.

Writing for TheJournal.ie earlier this year, emigrant rights campaigner Noreen Bowden also called for the diaspora to be given voting rights. However, critics of the idea have suggested that only those who are part of the Irish tax system should have a say at the ballot box.

So what do you think? Should Irish citizens abroad be able to vote in presidential elections?

Poll Results:

Yes, for all Irish elections (782)

No, if you don't live here, you shouldn't be able to vote here (533)

Yes, but just for the presidential election (311)

I don't know (37)

Yes, but just for the presidential election
Yes, for all Irish elections
No, if you don't live here, you shouldn't be able to vote here
I don't know

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Poll: Should Irish people living abroad be able to vote for the presidency?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.