CAMPAIGNERS across Britain were left “disappointed” this week when it emerged that an Irish Government referendum on voting rights for the Irish abroad would not take place this year.
Diaspora Minister Jimmy Deenihan has revealed that a referendum to decide whether Irish citizens living abroad should be allowed to vote in future presidential elections is unlikely to take place in 2015.
Mr Deenihan made the comments after taking part in a round-table discussion on Diaspora affairs in Dublin Castle.
He claimed that with two referendums, on marriage equality and the age qualification of presidential election candidates, due to be put to the people this year, “logistically” it would be difficult to hold a third.
This week members of the Irish community across Britain claimed they had been let down by the news.
“I would be the first to acknowledge the increased engagement recent Irish Governments are having with the Irish Diaspora,” Nottingham-based Gerry Molumby told The Irish Post this week.
“But despite worldwide campaigning from the Irish Abroad I cannot hide my disappointment that the present Coalition have decided not to see through its promise, from their Programme for Government, to finally seriously consider and devise a system for the Irish abroad to participate in Ireland’s democracy.”
Mr Molumby had been among those leading the British campaign to see Ireland extend voting rights to members of its Diaspora around the world.
So too was the Irish in Britain organisation, who led a vocal campaign on the topic last year.
Jennie McShannon, CEO of Irish in Britain, said: “We recognise that at this stage it unlikely that anything will now happen in this parliament. We are of course extremely disappointed. For those who emigrated many years ago, and who have been vociferous in the campaign, time is not necessarily on their side. Their desire to have an opportunity to vote for their president in their lifetime is a moving testament to their continued connection to Ireland. Our resolve is strong and the issue will not fade.”
The issue of the voting referendum has yet to be discussed at Cabinet level in Ireland and is therefore unlikely to be included in either referendum, which is due to be held this year.
But a new plan for Diaspora policy is due to be published in the coming weeks, although this will not contain any reference to votes for Irish citizens living abroad.
It will contain plans for a “civic forum” of Irish representatives drawn from various cultural, welfare, business and sports bodies around the world.
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently drawing up proposals for giving members of the Diaspora a vote in Ireland, which is expected to be examined at Cabinet level later in the year, they confirmed this month.
Last year a Joint Oireachtas Committee recommended that Ireland, in keeping with some other 120 nations around the world, should extend voting rights to Irish citizens abroad.
The European Commission has also criticised Ireland for not allowing its citizens living in other EU states to vote in elections at home.
Irish in Britain did however praise the introduction of a Diaspora Minister as being a positive step to engaging with the Irish abroad.
“It reflects the already positive steps taken by the Government in connecting with the Diaspora,” Ms McShannon said. “The Irish community in Britain and abroad are still hugely invested in their Irishness and in Irish life both here and at home.
“Remittances to families back in Ireland now amount to billions of euro every year. There is a strong sense of urgency about drawing on the Diaspora working across top global industries to encourage international investment in Ireland.
She added: “There are challenges in extending voting rights and many politicians are anxious about political ramifications, but we believe it is possible to implement enfranchisement and meet the challenges it poses.
“Political ramifications are not a reason to stall. The democratic process and right is a principle and the Irish political parties must trust their potential electorate abroad and make the case to get their vote. This can be a very positive move for Ireland.”
