Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2013
155. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any plans to extend the right to vote in general and presidential elections to EU nationals living here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20683/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubject to age and residency requirements, a registered elector’s citizenship determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. British citizens may vote at Dáil, European Parliament and local elections; EU citizens may vote at European Parliament and local elections; non-EU citizens may vote at local elections. Irish citizens alone are entitled to vote at Presidential elections and referendums.
In so far as Presidential elections are concerned, I have no proposals at present to advance the constitutional amendment that would be required to extend the right to vote to EU citizens resident here. In so far as Dáil elections are concerned, I may by order provide for EU citizens ordinarily resident in Ireland to be registered as Dáil electors on a reciprocal basis where I am satisfied that a Member State grants Irish citizens resident in their country the right to vote at parliamentary elections there on an equal basis with its own nationals. No such order has been made to date, and the matter will be kept under review, as required.
