Emigrants denied the right to vote

AS Michael D Higgins prepares to take up residence in Phoenix Park, spare a thought for the hundreds of thousands of Irish emigrants who don’t count anymore when it comes to presidential elections.

Many countries allow their citizens living abroad a postal vote: these countries, unlike insular Ireland, are mature enough to allow all the people their birthright. The Republic tops the table when it comes to discriminating against its own. The Irish living abroad should look upon Michael D Higgins as Ireland’s home-grown President, but sadly not their representative.

I don’t hold out any hope that the constitution will change before the next presidential election to allow deprived, forgotten Irish immigrants like myself to put their X on the ballot papers.