Rose Conway-Walsh urges presidential vote for diaspora and North
Rose Conway-Walsh argued for extending presidential voting rights to Irish citizens in the north and to the international diaspora, urging the government to act. She cited that 141 countries allow their diaspora to vote and criticised the failure to deliver a promised referendum under the Global Irish Diaspora Strategy 20 to 25.
Call for enfranchisement
Rose Conway-Walsh said a citizen must mean a citizen and called for presidential voting rights for Irish citizens in the north and for the diaspora. She criticised ongoing commentary and urged action, saying it is plainly wrong that the change has not been enacted.
International comparison and civic argument
She highlighted that 141 countries enable their diaspora to vote and quoted President Higgins describing the Irish diaspora as one of the greatest resources. She warned Ireland risks embarrassment internationally if it continues to exclude its citizens from presidential elections.
Referendum commitment questioned
Conway-Walsh recalled the government commitment in the Global Irish Diaspora Strategy 20 to 25 to hold a referendum on extending the franchise, noting that it is almost the end of 2025 and asking where the referendum is. She challenged the government, asking what it is afraid of in extending the franchise.
Constituency and personal stake
She said people living in her own constituency, including members of her family, can vote in presidential elections and used that contrast to underline the injustice faced by Irish citizens who cannot vote for the president. She insisted the situation must be put right and concluded by calling for immediate action on presidential voting rights.
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Agar maagath ag cairlach. Minister, 141 countries enable their diaspora to vote. People living in my own constituency, members of my own family, can vote in the presidential elections. And it's absolutely mind-boggling that Irish citizens in the north and our own diaspora, international diaspora, cannot vote in presidential elections. We have to stop, and I know that you're saying this will be looked at, and there's so much we agree on. We have to stop commentating on this, and we have to put it right. It is plainly wrong that we haven't enacted it so far. President Higgins rightly cited the Irish diaspora as one of the greatest resources. In the Global Irish Diaspora Strategy, 20 to 25, the government commits to holding a referendum on the extension of the franchise. We're almost at the end of 2025, so where is that referendum? And the question that people ask me is, what is the government afraid of? What are they afraid of, you know, in extending the franchise? And a citizen must mean a citizen. A citizen must be more than an Irish citizen, than somebody who is entitled to hold an Irish passport. It brings with it implicit rights, or it should do. And one of those rights should be enabling people in the north, Irish citizens in the north, to be able to vote for their own president. Like, it is lunacy to think you can be president, but you can't vote for yourself. We are, you know, we're making a fool of ourselves globally, that we cannot do this in this day and age. It is time for action. We need presidential voting rights for Irish citizens in the north, and for our Irish diaspora. Thank you.
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