Voices of Ireland - Emigrant Voting Rights 16-Dec-09 Read on for information about our campaign to give Irish emigrants back the right to vote in Irish elections, as many other countries already have for their own citizens.
In these economically troubled times, many young Irish people are taking the difficult option of emigrating from Ireland to seek new lives and work elsewhere, being forced to leave behind their homes, families and friends behind, which could be called the worst effect of the recession.
Unfortunately, at this point in Ireland emigrants can't vote in any elections or referendums, a right which is taken away from them by the difficulty they find themselves in, through no fault of their own. This goes against the example set by every other developed country on earth, well over a hundred of them, all of whom allow their emigrants to vote.
This inequitable situation has contributed in many ways to the political inertia in Ireland today, as some of the most gifted and qualified take their talents abroad, and for those of us who stay behind, how would it feel to be told that someday our children might have their democratic right to vote in Irish elections taken away from them?
Many parents have already found out, as have many young Irish people. The words of one young man speak loudly to us all - "My brother just left for Shanghai today, 6 months on the the dole, he's got a degree, HDip, MSc and couldn't get a single interview in this country. I hate Ireland and I hate our politicians and bankers even more. It's a disgrace that we're back to this again."
Some say, "no representation without taxation" - an argument which is seriously undermined by the fact that no other nation seems to link expat voting with expat taxation. In fact, the US is the only developed nation that requires its citizens abroad to pay taxes on money earned abroad, and even then the only people affected are those making over $85,000.
This petition which will be presented to the Dáil will address this inequality and highlight the plight of the children of Ireland. We would like to thank diaspora.ie for their support, and thanks to Noreen Bowden of GlobalIrish.ie for providing background information on emigrant voting around the world, see more at GlobalIrish.ie.
Implementation of the petition:
We propose to implement full emigrant voting rights for Irish emigrants, for anyone holding an Irish passport and who was born in Ireland, and spent at least sixteen years ordinarily resident in the country, or for those who were on the Irish electoral register before their departure and hold a current Irish passport. This could be done in a very straightforward manner, in a similar fashion to online banking done by Irish banks.
Upon confirmation of identification and issuance of codes, emigrants could then vote via the internet in national elections and referendums, registered in their last Irish constituency, (if its good enough to secure something like bank account numbers and transactions, it should do quite well for voting).
Sign the petition to give voting rights back to emigrants here (only name and region will be published): Petition Signatures
Signatories
Aaron Mac Fhionnlaoich, Galway Adam Kelly, Louth Alan Dillon, Galway alan kerrigan, Dublin Andrew Patrick Allen, Austin Delaney, bernie mcevoy, Cork Bernie Rougieux , France Breandan MacSitric, Dublin Bridie Kelly, Galway Chris West, Cork Christine O'Reilly, Dublin Damien Jennings, Waterford Dan Nyhan, Cork Darryl O'Donnell, UK David Armstrong, Madrid, Spain David Walker, Denis Lyons, UK Derek Larney, Dublin Derek McCabe, Dublin Des Smyth, Dublin Donnacha Nyhan, United Kingdom Doug Lucey, Cork Eamonn Cahill, Spain Ed Kavanagh, Australia Fintan Harte, London gerry greally, Kildare Jack O Dwyer, Cork Jackie Lynch, Carlow James Conron, Cork jason mccormack, Dublin JEREMY MOORHEAD, john staunton, Galway jonathan kennedy, Limerick Joseph Harkins, Cork Ken Folan, Galway Lawrence Kilbane, Mayo Liam Dooley, Dublin Margaret Murphy, London, UK Mick Regan, Cork Mrs. Rene O'Riordan, Dublin Neil O'Riordan, Cork Niall Power , Luxembourg Niamhniamh, Carlow Owen Boyden, Cork Paddy Melia, Galway Paul Williams, Clare Phil Casey, Dublin Phil Noonan, Germany ramone hughes, Kerry Ronan Burke, Galway Ross Kelly, Galway Simon Jennings, Galway Stephen Mulvaney, Sligo Tony Duggan, Carlow
Voices of Ireland - Emigrant Voting Rights Read on for information about our campaign to give Irish emigrants back the right to vote in Irish elections, as many other countries already have for their own citizens.
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Voices of Ireland - Emigrant Voting Rights16-Dec-09 Read on for information about our campaign to give Irish emigrants back the right to vote in Irish elections, as many other countries already have for their own citizens.
Read more...
Bank guarantee meetings to remain secret27-Jan-10 In a move which is increasingly becoming typical of this government, the Information Commissioner, Emily O’Reilly, has denied a Freedom of Information request to release documents relating to the circumstances around the setting up of the bank guarantee. Read more...
State to take bigger share in banks as capital needs increase29-Mar-10 THE STATE could end up effectively nationalising three more financial institutions this week following a series of official announcements tomorrow evening which the Government hopes will draw a line under the banking crisis. Read more...
Dealing with Ireland's Deficit28-Nov-09 One of the major problems facing Ireland today is the large shortfall in tax revenues versus expenditures, and how that can be addressed. Read more...
Economy suffers record collapse29-Mar-10 The Irish economy contracted by 7.1pc last year - the largest fall recorded in a single year, official figures revealed today. Read more...
NAMA - What is it all about?07-Aug-09 NAMA, the National Assets Management Agency being put forward by the government as a panacea to all of the nation's economic and banking woes - what is it, how does it work, and what are the implications? Read more...
Rebel FF TDs say discontent growing29-Mar-10 REBEL Fianna Fail TDs looking to displace Taoiseach Brian Cowen last night claimed their campaign was gaining momentum after a number of normally loyal TDs went public with criticisms of the party leader. Read more...
Portraits of The Global Irish16-Mar-10 We may be living through tough times in Ireland but the Irish identity is still a source of inspiration and hope in the most unlikely corners of the world. In the run-up to this year's St Patrick's Day, RTÉ.ie brings you an exclusive series of profiles of remarkable Irish people from Beijing to Buenos Aires. Read more...
Political Issues11-May-09 Here is some interesting commentary on the political issues affecting Ireland today. Read more...
Harney slur forces radio boss to ban McCafferty16-Mar-10 Veteran journalist Nell McCafferty has been banned indefinitely from appearing on any programming on independent radio station Newstalk after she branded Health Minister Mary Harney an alcoholic, the Sunday Independent has learned. Read more...
All the wrong options have been pursued09-Mar-10 In this open letter, 28 leading economists, social scientists and economic analysts tell the Government that it’s policies for dealing with the economic crisis are wrong. And they chart a different course. Read more...
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