The Irish abroad should receive the right to vote in this centenary year

Fianna Fáil’s manifesto, ‘An Ireland for All’ said: “The President is an important political and cultural figurehead for the state and nation. As an international figure the position represents an important cultural centre point for the Diaspora and all those who consider themselves Irish across the globe. Irish citizens in Northern Ireland should have the right to cast their ballot in this important election”.

This concurs with my longstanding campaign on votes for the Irish abroad. The apolitical office of Uachtarán na hÉireann has changed greatly since the election of the two Marys and their focus on diaspora and worldwide issues — Just look at the role they and the Irish-Americans played in the current peace process, and in the run-up to the 1916 Rising.

But in 2013 Senator Mark Daly said “A key priority is to continue to campaign to extend voting rights to citizen of the Irish nation outside the State”.