Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
312. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if voting rights will be extended to Irish citizens living abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28759/13]
View answerUnder electoral law, in order to be able to vote at elections in Ireland, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. With some exceptions (mainly postal voters) all persons must attend in person to vote at their local polling station.
The Constitutional Convention will be considering issues relating to giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in Presidential elections at Irish embassies or otherwise. In accordance with the resolution of the Oireachtas on the calling of the Convention the Government will provide in the Oireachtas a response to each recommendation of the convention within four months and, if accepting the recommendation will indicate a timeframe it envisages for the holding of any related referendum. Proposals for change to electoral law will be brought forward in light of any decisions for change which may arise from this process.
