asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately 10,000 residents of the Six Counties who were born in the Twenty-Six Counties, while being eligible to vote in elections to the Westminster Parliament, are debarred from voting in elections for any Six County assembly or for elections for any district council; and further, whether in view of the Government's intention to grant full voting rights to British nationals resident in the Twenty-Six Counties, he will bring to the notice of the British Government the present position in the Six Counties with a view to having this anomaly removed.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Residents' Voting Rights.
4.
According to the most recently published official figures there are 5,232 more persons in Northern Ireland entitled to vote in Westminster elections than in district councils or Assembly elections. It can be assumed that most, if not all, of this number were born within our jurisdiction.
During the discussions which led to the establishment of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Council on 6 November 1981, the Irish Government clearly made known their view that this anomaly was one of those anomalies which should be tackled in the context of measures to improve mutual understanding. The Deputy will be aware that specific reference was made to this anomaly in the Report of the Anglo-Irish Joint Studies, which was published on 11 November 1981, and a copy of which was placed in the Dáil Library at that time.
One step in this general area which this Government have taken has been to declare their intention to introduce to British citizens resident in Ireland the right to vote in national elections in this State.
Is it possible for the Minister to say when legislation will be introduced to give votes in this country to UK citizens?
That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment but I understand he intends to do it very quickly — I hope in the next few months.
Did the Minister give a figure of 5,200?
The figure is 5,232. That is an assumption from subtracting one set of figures from another.
In view of the fact that the Border counties always regarded Belfast as their commercial capital and in view of the sad history with regard to permits for residents for a long period in that area, will the Minister as a matter of urgency take up this matter with the UK Government to ensure that these people will get the vote?
I will. The last paragraph of my reply regarding our intention to introduce legislation here will be a help to the general atmosphere towards removing this anomaly.
A reciprocal arrangement.
It would not be reciprocation, of course.