Seán Power
Question:139 Mr. Power asked the Minister for the Environment if he will allow non-nationals living in this country for a number of years the right to vote in general elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12444/97]
Written Answers. - Voting Rights.
Article 16.1.2º of the Constitution provides that all Irish citizens and such other persons in the State as may be determined by law shall have the right to vote at Dáil elections. Section 8 of the Electoral Act, 1992, extends the right to vote at Dáil elections to resident British citizens. It also provides for extending the Dáil franchise to nationals of other EU member states on a reciprocal basis. The United Kingdom is the only member state which extends the right to vote at parliamentary elections to resident Irish citizens and there is, therefore, no scope under existing law for extending the Dáil franchise to nationals of other member states resident in Ireland. I have no proposals to amend the law in this matter.