asked the Minister for Local Government whether Irish citizens in Britain are qualified to vote in that country in parliamentary elections; and whether citizens of that country residing here are qualified to vote here in Oireachtas or Presidential elections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voting Rights of Irish and British Citizens.
27.
I understand that Irish citizens of full age who are resident in Great Britain and who are not subject to any legal incapacity are entitled to be registered as electors and to vote at parliamentary elections there. Under the Constitution of Ireland, a person may not vote at a Dáil or Presidential election unless he is an Irish citizen. I am advised that a British citizen could, if a member of a county or county borough council but not otherwise, vote at a general election of panel members for Seanad Éireann.
Is there any such thing as dual citizenship that would qualify? Can an Englishman be an Irishman and an Englishman at the same time for the purposes of qualifying?
If he is an Irishman, that is all I am interested with and the answer applies only to one in such circumstances.
Surely the Minister could be more helpful? If it is a fact that British citizens here can also have Irish citizenship and then vote in Dáil elections, surely the Minister could say——
How explicit does the Deputy want me to be? I have said that an Irish citizen is entitled to his voting rights. If he is an Irish citizen, he is entitled to them; if not, he is not.
Does it mean that he has to relinquish his British citizenship?
That is a matter covered by the legislation of the country whose citizenship he may hold.
In other words, the Minister does not know.
I do know.
(Cavan): The Minister for Agriculture says no, so you are all right.