John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to share time with Deputies Thomas Pringle, Finian McGrath and Michael Fitzmaurice.

The right to vote is one of the most fundamental political rights of citizens. It is part of the fabric of democracy and when people are disenfranchised of that right in other countries that are not democratic, we are up in arms. Nevertheless, we disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of our citizens around the world. Very many of those lost the right to vote through no fault of their own because they had to leave the country in which they were born. Some Irish have no voting rights despite the fact that approximately 150 countries have systems in place to allow emigrants to vote. It is interesting that even countries with high rates of emigration, like Italy and Mexico, have recently allowed expatriates to vote. I am speaking in broader terms, and I support the motion, but Irish citizens should have the right to vote in all elections.

It is interesting that in 2006, a study of countries that allowed emigrants to vote included 21 African countries, 13 North American and South American countries, 15 Asian countries and 36 European countries. Astoundingly, we are not in that group of countries and we have not even considered over the past number of years the rights of citizens. I was recently in London on behalf of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, which is chaired by Deputy Dominic Hannigan. We met representatives of an organisation that was the voice of Irish people seeking the right to vote. They made very compelling reasons and it was astounding how up to date they were on politics in Ireland. They explained that many people, particularly those who are relatively young - perhaps aged from 18 to 30 years or 35 to 40 years - had no choice about leaving the country but still wanted a say in how the country is run. They do not have that say, which is regrettable.

The European Commission had indicated that citizens should not lose their right to vote in national elections when they move to another state. It is inevitable that there will have to be a debate in the Oireachtas on the rights of hundreds of thousands of disenfranchised Irish citizens who want to have a say in the politics of their country. When we were in London, the point was made that we have elections in Ireland where, sometimes, 40% of people do not bother to vote. The percentage of people who do not vote is certainly in the region of 30% when there is a low turnout. There are highly educated people whose families lived in the country for generations and they want a say; they are willing to vote but cannot have their say, which is appalling.

I most certainly support this Bill and would like to have more time to speak on it but I need to allow other speakers contribute. I am glad the Government is not opposing it because it is worthwhile and very well put together. It is inevitable that we will come back to the fact that the European Commission has said it is wrong not to allow our citizens who have left the country to vote in all elections.

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