Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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308. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on extending the voting franchise for general elections to all persons who qualify to vote in local elections. [48142/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Under Part II of the Electoral Act 1992, every person is entitled to be entered on the register of electors if that person:

- has reached the age of 18 years, and

- is ordinarily resident in a constituency in the State.

Subject to the age and residency requirements, a registered elector’s citizenship then determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote.

Irish citizens alone are entitled to vote at all elections (i.e. local, European, Dáil, and presidential) and at referendums.

Reciprocal arrangements are in place under the Common Travel Area with regard to voting rights in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In this regard, British citizens resident in Ireland are also eligible to vote at Dáil elections and at local elections.

Citizens of other Member States of the European Union (EU) may vote at European Parliament and local elections.

Non-EU citizens may vote at local elections.

While electoral law is kept under ongoing review, I currently have no plans to change the existing arrangements in respect of voting rights at Dáil elections.