Enda Kenny suggests Government will not keep promise of Christmas announcement on Presidential vote for Irish abroad and tells young emigrants: overseas vote “an issue for the next government”
Last night (Thursday, Dec 18) members of We’re Coming Back a group campaigning for voting rights for recent Irish emigrants met An Taoiseach at the launch of a book about the ‘powerful and historic relationship’ between Belgium and Ireland at the Irish Embassy in Brussels.
“No, this will not happen before Christmas. There are a number of issues that need to be decided – I think this is a topic for the next general election and the next Government.”
This was the hope–shattering answer to the question from WCB members who put it to Enda Kenny that he “voted in favour of emigrant voting rights in 1991” and asked him “Where do you stand today in relation to the Constitutional Convention’s recommendation? Ministers Deenihan and Kelly have promised a response by Christmas. Will emigrants get a response?”
Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the issue this week and announce before Christmas whether it would go to a referendum in 2015. This decision has been overdue for over a year, after the Constitutional Convention voted strongly in favour (78%) of the change in September 2013.
Jennie McShannon CEO of Irish in Britain expressed great frustration with the reports of An Taoiseach’s comments saying that “The euros, dollars and pounds of the Irish Diaspora are continually contributing to the Irish economy and will flood in this Christmas. If this is the position of the Irish Government, the hundreds of thousands of Irish people who take part in the festive migration to celebrate with their families all across Ireland from all around the world will be bitterly disappointed. The fact that Minister Deenihan has repeatedly stated that there would be an announcement before Christmas only adds further insult to this shocking backtrack”.
Emigrant organisations have been actively campaigning ahead of the expected decision, with We’re Coming Back organising a worldwide ‘Toast For A Vote’ in support. Campaign co–founder Conor O’Neill said: “It’s disappointing to see our citizens abroad ignored again – Enda Kenny voted for this while in opposition, told us yesterday that he’s “very much in favour” of an emigrant vote, but has still proceeded to kick the issue to touch. It’s not good enough – he should do right by our citizens abroad and take action.”
Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan has said he “very much supports” holding the proposed referendum next year. Though An Taoiseach’s Christmas Message focused on the pains of emigration and bringing people home, his refusal to really engage has left emigrants cold. In this light, Irish citizens all over the world gather to #toastforavote this Christmas weekend, urging Government to honour past promises and end their disenfranchisement.
Irish in Britain has long campaigned to end the disenfranchisement of Irish emigrants and has contributed to the Constitutional Convention, appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs when it examined the issue and held a number of Diaspora Voice events in Britain to engage with the Irish Community here.