Letter to the editor: Voting rights
The Editor,Letters Page,The Irish Times,
Dear Editor,
Senator David Norris questions the appropriateness of 800 Party members living outside the State having a perhaps determining input on the formation of Government here in the Republic of Ireland. He is right.
Mind you I do not recall Senator Norris ever opposing the Seanad franchise being exercised by people in similar circumstances.
There is a key principle here and we should stick with it. There are many people who do not live in the State but are part of the Nation. I respect absolutely their Irishness and their right to so identify. However the laws and jurisdiction of the Republic only apply in this State. Therefore a vote on our Government structures should be held and exercised by those living in the State or who are external to it for short periods.
Extending the right to vote to all those aged over 18, irrespective of nationality, living in the State for a reasonably defined period of time is the truly democratic thing to do and not the tokenism in the Programme for Government and similar proposals in many Party manifestoes about extending same to the PresIdential elections. Indeed in my view it demeans the office of President by implying that it is a vote of lesser consequence.
Yours sincerely,
Dermot Lacey
