Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses. I have been considering this issue for a long time. There is a massive Irish diaspora living across the world. I can only speak for myself, but the minute your foot steps outside this country, you become more patriotic. It does not matter where you are on holidays. You become more patriotic and it is as simple as that.

In its response, the Department mentioned a couple of things about the changes that would be required to articles of the Constitution. It also referred to the Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution. I am in agreement with the proposal. If you were here on holidays from Australia, you could go to the embassy to cast your vote. We must always remember that people fought and died for the right to vote. It took a long time for women to get the right to vote. This is about equality and representation. Politics can sometimes be nasty and dirty. I often say to people that it does not matter who you vote for. Once you vote, you have a right to complain. You have a voice. That is my take on the matter.

This is a joined-up committee. I am in agreement with the petition. It is one of the most democratic functions on the planet as it stands. I saw a big difference between the 2016 election and the 2020 election. Younger people have been very disappointed. I met many who went to polling stations but do not have a vote. Others sit on their backsides and do nothing other than complain when it is all over. In the programme for Government, there was a commitment to doing it but, unfortunately, it did not progress. This committee is intended to raise the concerns of ordinary, everyday persons like us. The witnesses should not judge me by the shirt and tie I am wearing because I will have my tracksuit on later. We are all the same people.

We are talking about millions of people, scattered all over the world, who do not have a say as to what goes on in Ireland. Unfortunately, the only say they have when they are living here is to take the option to emigrate. That loses connection, in one sense. On the other side, with the Internet and all the technology we have now, the world has become so small. I had a party one night with a fellow in Canada. He was below in Cork and we had a great old chat. The world has become that small. I agree that this issue should be considered when we democratically elect a government. We have a proud history. People on the far side of the world may not be watching this meeting but after today, that concern will be raised. I am delighted because people have a perception that they need thousands of signatures to come before the Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsman. That is not so. Everybody has an equal voice and an equal right and that is what it should be about.

I would also consider lowering the age limit for voting. We have considered organising that on a trial basis for the presidential election to see how it progresses. There will be an election in the coming weeks rather than months. Perhaps there will be a change of Government and policy can change. There is an option there under a particular article of the Constitution.

I refer to Articles 12.2.2°, 16, and 47.2 of the Constitution. There is a provision to change it and I am delighted we are here discussing same.