Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The next petition is No. P00060/24, “Voting for Irish Born Citizens Abroad”, from Ms Gráinne McLoughlin, and is regarding allowing Irish-born citizens their right to vote as stated in the 9th amendment of the Constitution. The voting rights in Ireland are rigid in comparison with other EU member states. The petitioner states that 36 European countries in 2006 allowed their emigrants overseas to vote. Postal ballots have been suggested, but in the current digital environment, she is sure voting can take place by digital means. Failing this, voting could place in person in consulates and embassies.

There is increasing globalisation worldwide and it is disenfranchising of Ireland not to allow their citizens voting rights abroad. Half of those emigrating are in the age group of 25 to 44 and a huge number of Ireland’s young voices are not being heard in elections. Irish emigrants are not losing touch with Ireland because of vast improvements in technology such as the Internet. Those who intend to return have a right to continue to have a say in how their country is run.

The accelerating trend globally is towards allowing overseas citizens a vote in all elections. Ireland has the most restrictive voting rights in the world in respect of overseas voting. Inclusivity means all voices should be heard, including Irish citizens living abroad.

The action requested by petitioner is to allow Irish-born citizens their right to vote as stated in the 9th amendment of the Constitution. No actions were taken before submitting this petition. The actions taken by the secretariat are as follows. On 24 July 2024, the secretariat wrote to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage seeking a response advising of their views within 14 days. On 2 August 2024, the secretariat received a response from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The recommendations are: that the correspondence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days; to publish the correspondence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and to invite the petitioner to appear before the committee at the meeting on Thursday, 17 October. Do members have any views?

I think it is absolutely crazy that we are the only country that does not seem to trust themselves to let our diaspora scattered all around the world for different reasons be able to vote like every other country. It is a crazy system. If my wife and I leave the country, and I go on business and she comes, I can vote using a postal vote but she will not be able to vote. It is unbelievable that, in this day and age, we do not have a system. We have embassies all over the world. Why can we not do it like every other country?