Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 1

Written Answers. - Voting Rights for Emigrants.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

39 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the commitment given by the Minister of State with special responsibility for environmental protection during the debate on the Committee Stage of the Presidential Elections Bill, he will give the progress that has been made regarding the implementation of the promise that emigrants will be allowed to vote before the next General Election and that the Constitution would be amended to allow for this; if any date has been set for the proposed amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

65 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether any change should be made in our Constitution and laws to permit a vote to emigrants in elections to Seanad Éireann or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 65 together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government accepted in principle that there should be constitutional change to give voting rights to emigrants and it indicated that the issue would be further examined. The examination is underway in my Department and all options are being considered, including the option of Seanad representation. The examination has not yet been concluded and no decisions have been taken on how the matter should be progressed.