Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking in Philadelphia on Sunday. Photo by Tom Keenan.
By Evan Short
Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s announcement that Irish citizens living outside the state will be able to vote in Irish presidential elections –assuming an affirming referendum vote – has been broadly welcomed.
If the voters confirm Mr. Kenny’s wish, it would mean that for the first time Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and those living abroad will be able to vote for future Irish presidents.
Mr. Kenny made his announcement Sunday in Philadelphia, the first city stop in his St. Patrick’s week U.S. visit.
He did so in a speech at the city’s great Hunger memorial.
The next Irish presidential election is due to take place in 2018.
However, if the referendum is successful the new voting system would probably come into effect until 2025.
Irish presidents, who are constitutional heads of state, serve seven year terms
Minister for the Diaspora, Joe McHugh, said that the government was considering online voting as an option for people living outside the state.
“There is a massive piece of work. It is going to be groundbreaking,” he said.
“Especially at a time when other countries are becoming more isolationist, it is Ireland looking outward.”
Nationalists in Northern Ireland have welcomed the news.
Although Belfast born, Mary McAleese won two terms as president in 1997 and 2014 but she was unable to vote in either election.
SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, said it was an important step in "recognizing the immense contribution that Irish citizens and communities across the world make to our island.”
“And it would be a significant endorsement of the principle of self-determination that secured support for peace in the North if our Irish citizens were given the right to choose our President. The time is right to move on this issue.”
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said his party has been pressing the Irish government in recent years for the people of Northern Ireland to have a vote in presidential elections.
“The taoiseach’s announcement is very welcome, but the government needs to quickly clarify what this means in practice and when the referendum will be held.”
He added: “Last November, the taoiseach, in a reply to me in the Dáil, ruled out a referendum this year or next. This would mean that the vote would not be available for citizens in the North or the diaspora before 2025.
“The Constitutional Convention voted on this issue in September 2013.
“A significant majority of its members agreed to extend voting rights to Irish citizens living abroad and in the North.
“In November 2015, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs made a recommendation to extend the voting rights also, following criticism by the European Commission.
“Sinn Féin believes that Irish citizens living and working outside of the state and, in the context of the Good Friday Agreement, those living in the North, should be able to vote in presidential elections.”
