Richard O'Donoghue: 32 counties stance and votes for emigrant Irish
Richard O'Donoghue argued that the island of Ireland comprises 32 counties, not 26, and said Irish people living abroad should be allowed to vote in presidential elections. He addressed the minister and called for the enfranchisement of emigrants who retain Irish passports and have not taken another citizenship.
Stance on voting rights
He said anyone who is Irish should be entitled to vote in a presidential election, including those living abroad. He emphasised that emigrants who hold Irish passports and have not become citizens of another country should be able to participate in presidential votes even if they are currently outside Ireland.
Concerns about emigration and professions leaving
He highlighted people leaving Ireland for countries such as Australia and Dubai to make a life or save money to return home. He cited teachers, doctors and nurses among those who have left because they "couldn't be looked after here" and could not see a future at home.
Remarks on Northern Ireland and eligibility
He said a person from the north of Ireland can run for president but may not be able to vote for themselves, and used this as part of his argument about the island's unity. He reiterated his personal view that there are 32 counties on the island of Ireland and framed that as the bottom line of his stance.
Personal conviction and tone
He described his position as "old school" and said he will remain committed to it "while I have a breath," signalling a resolute, longstanding belief in his perspective on national identity and diaspora voting rights.
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I'm a believer, I grew up, to me there's 32 counties in Ireland, not 26, where the island of Ireland, call me old school, that's the way I was brought up. And for a person that can run as president from the north of Ireland and not be able to vote for themselves, they're from Ireland. It's the island of Ireland, that's the bottom line. But I also, Minister, would look at how many people have left these shores and gone to Australia, Dubai and all the other countries, are not citizens of the other countries. They hold an Irish passport, they're from Ireland, they're leaving the country for five or six years to make a life for themselves or get a few pounds together to come back home. Are they allowed vote in the presidential election? If they're not in Ireland. They've left these shores because they couldn't be looked after here and they couldn't see a future for themselves and funding that they could build a life here. So they went to other countries, how many have left here? And teaching, doctors, everything, nurses, all leaving here. They are Irish people with Irish passports. They also should be allowed vote in a presidential election. So I'm 100% saying that if you're Irish, you vote. If you're from Ireland, if you're living abroad, you're Irish. If you're not a citizen of any other country, you're Irish. So you should be entitled to vote. And that's the way that Irish people should have it. So to me, as I said it, I'm old school and I'll always stay the way I am. There's 32 counties in Ireland, not 26. And I will treat it that everywhere while I have a breath. Thank you.
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