Emigrant vote not a priority, says Cowen

GIVING voting rights to emigrants for elections in this country has been ruled out under new proposals to address the needs of Irish people living abroad.

The recommendations of a government think-tank on emigrants did not examine the oft-mooted suggestion of giving emigrants a say in the way the country was being run.

Speaking at the launch of the report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants, Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said he would keep the matter under review but extending voting rights was not a priority.

Task force chairman Paddy O’Hanlon said voting rights were not a major issue for the emigrants interviewed for the report.

Different needs for emigrants were identified which varied from country to country, he said.

However, Mr O’Hanlon did concede examining the issue of giving votes to emigrants was not part of the terms of reference of his committee’s report.

The report recommends a massive increase in the level of funding for emigrant services to 18m for 2003 and 34m in 2005.

It also proposes a Holiday in Ireland scheme for elderly Irish emigrants resident in Britain who are unable to return to live permanently in Ireland and suggests the Department of Foreign Affairs should have overall responsibility for emigrants.

According to the report, a substantial number of people continue to leave the country, often without adequate preparation.

Mr Cowen said he hoped the report will mark the start of a new approach to relations with Irish people abroad.