Votes for the diaspora: A pointless distraction

NOTHING has changed since the phrase ‘no taxation without representation’ was, apparently, coined by American lawyer James Otis in the 1760s, who wanted to end British colonisation of his nascent country, to undermine its core truth.

Its opposite — no representation without taxation — seems as rational, and a trustworthy guide in how public affairs might be ordered.

That linking of representation to tax might not appeal to the near 50% of people in work in Ireland but who pay no income tax, however, in the context of voting rights to Irish citizens abroad, it seems a valid line in the sand.