Dáil discusses should Irish emigrants be allowed to vote
A Dáil debate to discuss whether Irish emigrants should be granted the right to vote is underway.
The report, which was published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs last November, followed criticism from the European Commission, which said Ireland was disenfranchising its citizens living in other EU member states by not providing them with voting rights.
Professor David Farrell is the Chair of politics at UCD and he thinks not many would take up the option but what is important is that the option is available.
He said many emigrants may not choose to vote but, they would like to have that choice.
“If you were to extend voting rights to citizens abroad, not a lot of them would take it up. I mean frankly a lot of people have moved on, particularly those who have been away for a very long time. They will have moved on and have other lives elsewhere.,” Mr Farrell said.
“Potentially, we are talking about a very small number who will take up the possibility, but the point is they have the right to do it, that is what is important they should at least have that option.”
