Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)

In the North, there is an incredible situation in which Irish citizens who live on the island of Ireland have a Head of State in the President of Ireland but are unable to vote for that Head of State. These citizens feel there is an othering of them, that they are somehow different and not equal as Irish citizens who live in Ireland and have an Irish Head of State for whom they cannot vote. That mad thing is they can be candidates for Head of State. They can grow up all their lives in the North, become a candidate in the presidential election, win the Presidency but are not able to vote in that election. This is about a direct line for Irish citizens to their Head of State. They feel the Head of State represents all Irish citizens but they do not have that direct line. My colleague Deputy Seán Crowe mentioned this was passed by the Oireachtas but has not been enacted. There is a strong connection for all Irish citizens with the President of Ireland, no matter who that is. They are there for all Irish citizens. All Irish citizens should be able to vote. What is the downside of letting Irish citizens in the North vote for the Head of State who goes on to represent them? I know the Minister of State is interested in outreach to the unionist community. They could also vote for the Head of State if they want to.

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