Government to kickstart process to stage referendum on voting rights for the diaspora

 President Michael D Higgins. The Programme for Government committed to hold a referendum on extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State.

Plans to kick-start a discussion on holding a referendum on diaspora voting rights for future Presidential elections is to be announced by Government today.

Fine Gael Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy will virtually meet with Irish diaspora to inform them of a civic forum which he said will take place next Spring in Dublin.