Government contradicts itself on northern voting rights – Crowe

Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has said that the government is contradicting itself on the issue of voting rights in presidential elections for Irish citizens in the north and abroad.

Deputy Crowe said that despite commitments from the Taoiseach, Fine Gael and Labour Senators recently voted down a Sinn Féin motion on the issue.
       
Deputy Crowe is seeking clarification from the government.

He said:

“The Taoiseach Enda Kenny recently gave a commitment to my party leader Gerry Adams that the proposed constitutional convention will consider the issue of voting rights, including those of Irish citizens in the north, for future Presidential elections. However, his commitment does not tally with the actions of his government colleagues who earlier this month voted down a Sinn Féin motion on the issue.

“Clearly the government is contradicting itself.

“Fine Gael is on record as stating that Irish citizens living outside the 26 counties should be allowed to vote in presidential elections, subject to certain conditions, and likewise the Labour party is on record as advocating the extension of voting rights.

“Yet now have the bizarre situation where both government parties talk about supporting the extension of voting rights, but when it comes to a vote, they stand in opposition to the idea.

“The government cannot continue to pay lip service to Irish citizens in the north and abroad. They must clarify their position on this important issue.

 “Sinn Féin will continue to work with all political parties and organisations including the One Voice, One Vote campaign to ensure that the rights of the people in the six counties are the same as those in Galway, Dublin and Cork.”