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About LinkBacksSorry to start a thread looking for a simple one word and explanation answer but here goes. I was told tonight that British citizens can vote in Dail elections- Is this true and if so does anyone know why?
Sorry to start a thread looking for a simple one word and explanation answer but here goes. I was told tonight that British citizens can vote in Dail elections- Is this true and if so does anyone know why?
"I thought that I had a duty to help those that weren't as lucky as me." -- John Hume
Yes.
According to oasis.gov.ie, "British citizens may vote at Dáil elections, European elections and local elections"
Of course, it doesn't explain why. I'd be interested in hearing solid reasons for why this our electoral rules have developed this way.
It also appears at first glance to be in breach of the EU Treaty regarding discrimination based on nationality. While nationals of other EU Member States are regularly excluded from easily taking part in general elections, it seems a bit dodgy to allow citizens of one particular member state, but not others.
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However, nationals from all EU states can vote in EP and local elections here.
"Partout où la liberté règne elle est incessamment attaquée et très souvent en péril” – Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Its true - UK citizens can vote in Irish elections but Irish citizens can also vote in UKelections.
Its a hangover from the past and should be abolished
This probably has something to do with the Ireland Act 1949 in the UK which allowed Irish citizens to have British citizenship automaticallt just by being Irish citizens (I think). Maybe Irish governments felt they should reciprocate hence the present situation.
Thank you well said,our law is always dodgy,given the way it's always interpreted in context,the WORD NATIONALITY what and why did they always discriminate against certain ethnic group or country in our countryOriginally Posted by Libero
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It not only on that aspect of life what about those who are legally resident in this country that're non EU
They're always discrimated against in many ways.
But we need a leader,a leader like tony blair in this country,not a leader that call people rat,not a leader that will turn themself to semi-GOD for what reason
Irish Electoral Law provides for the following categories of voting entitlement:
Irish citizens - all elections and referenda
British citizens - Dáil, Local and Euro elections only, i.e. not in referenda or presidential elections
Other EU citizens - local and Euro elections only
Non-Irish or EU citizens - (I believe there is a six month residency rule) - local elections only.
The franchise was extended to British citizens during the 1980's if memory serves me right. It came about as a consequence of the development of closer Irish-British relations reference the North. In addition, it helped to reinforce the voting rights of Irish citizens in the UK - both in the North (pretty important) and also in Britian (pretty important also) by providing a reciprocal arrangement for British citizens in the Republic. This is also the reason why the franchise is not extended to other EU citizens, i.e. it is only possible in cases where each State reciprocates.
Oh, another reason is that the Tories were muttering about the inequality of Irish citizens being able to vote in Britain at the time, and there was a brief hiatus amongst them about removing the franchise from the Irish community in Britain. But as to how real that threat was - well I'll leave it to you to decide.
Setanta,but do you realise that we're living in a modern ireland not the old EIRE so those electoral ristrictions should be debated by the oireachtas and the seanad,and change accordingly into todays world.instead of all this discriminations.
British citizens can vote in Dail elections because there are a large amount of them in the Six Counties. If we want unity then we have to allow the British community to take part in national life.
The Irish in Britain are given the same right, mainly due to the Six Countie also.
Errr, thank you for pointing out that we're living in a modern Ireland. I guess that stating the bleedin' obvious must be a core competence of yours. I made no comment one way or the other about my personal views on the matter of different qualifications for the franchise, I was simply answering campbeca's question.
Incidentally, the Electoral Acts were debated by the Oireachtas. Oh and by the way, the Seanad is part of the Oireachtas along with the Dáil and the President.
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