Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 May 2004
264 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider requests to allow British citizens to vote in a presidential election and a referendum, especially as many of them have resided here for years. [12695/04]
View answerEligibility to vote at a presidential election and a referendum is confined by the Constitution to Irish citizens only. A change would require a referendum to amend the Constitution.
265 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his view on the large number of A voters on the 2004 to 2005 electoral register; and his view on whether these EU citizens will be denied a vote in the European elections 2004. [12696/04]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to e-voters or electronic voters. This refers to EU citizens who are entitled to vote in local and European elections.
All EU citizens, who are registered in accordance with electoral law, are entitled to vote at the European and local elections on 11 June. A number of measures have been undertaken to ensure that they are aware of their rights. My Department distributed a form to be used by registration authorities when compiling the 2004-2005 register of electors. It contained information for non-nationals, including EU citizens, on their eligibility to vote and to stand at the 2004 European and local elections. An information leaflet was distributed to the embassies of the 25 EU member states, the European Parliament office and other interested bodies. It is also available on my Department's website.
In addition, a newspaper advertising campaign is under way to promote the availability of the supplement to the register for persons who are not on the published register. The advertisements make specific reference to EU citizens.
