Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans in place to allow for voting rights at Irish elections to be extended to Irish diaspora; the progress being made in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5574/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In order to be able to vote at elections and referendums in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of persons who are entered in the register of electors but who may find themselves abroad at the time, including members of the Defence Forces and Irish diplomats.

The Programme for Government sets out a comprehensive range of constitutional reform measures including the review by a Constitutional Convention of the Dáil electoral system and giving citizens the right to vote at Irish embassies in presidential elections. I will bring forward proposals for change to electoral law in light of the decisions for change which may arise from these processes.