Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put to bed the contradiction in what Senator Coffey said. He mentioned Senator Billy Lawless, who is the Taoiseach’s nominee, but Senator Lawless has pleaded with this House for cross-party support of the motion without the dilution of an amendment. That is all that needs to be said about Senator Coffey’s contribution and others.

Many of us have lived as emigrants. Possibly up to 50% of Members of this House emigrated at some stage in their lives. The majority of us were all members of the diaspora. We followed the arguments at home when we were abroad. We heard the promises that we would be allowed to be involved and to have a say in this country while we were abroad to seek employment and opportunities we could not find in this country. The improvement in communications in the 1980s allowed the Irish community to keep informed of events at home. In the 1990s the British Government led by John Major confirmed to the Government that Irish citizens would not lose their vote in Britain if they were to receive a vote in Irish elections. There were promises, reports and then an acceptance that the issue would have to be solved but nothing ever happened.

At one stage 22 Fianna Fáil Deputies backed the campaign of Glór an Deoraí who tried to apply political pressure on the issue in this country but the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds kicked it to touch with a remark that a vote for emigrants just did not seem practical. Practical for whom? There are suspicions that the establishment does not want votes for citizens abroad as it would upset the status quoof the two dominant parties, but that is well on its way to being dismantled anyway. The other concern expressed is that it might give voice to subversive elements. The vital role played by the diaspora in the success of the peace process shows what nonsense that concern is. In the darkest days of the conflict there were those such as Ken Livingstone, Jeremy Corbyn and Tony Benn, who along with Irish emigrant groups in Britain worked to forge the peace process.British citizens can vote in Ireland for up to 30 years after being non-resident. In the current climate I believe it is more important that Irish citizens in Britain have a vote in their home country. We are a member of the European Union. We have all the knowledge and reviews, but it is time to stop all the delaying tactics and put the knowledge and the reviews into action. I call for action on this motion today. Go raibh maith agat.