26 February 2004 Edition

Resize: A A A Print

Ahern evasive on Presidential voting rights

Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin received a typically evasive reply from Bertie Ahern when he questioned him in the Dáil last week on the issue of Presidential voting rights for those in the Six Counties.

Ó Caolain asked if this was a constitutional issue requiring a referendum or if it could be legislated for in advance of a possible Presidential election later this year.

Ó Caoláin pointed out that if Mary McAleese were domiciled in her own home she would not be able to vote for herself. The Taoiseach's reply was that the all-party committee would be reporting shortly on the issue and that, as far as he was aware, the issue of who could vote was not addressed in the report but that no referendum was planned and that it was unnecessary.

The issue was originally raised a few weeks ago by Ógra Sinn Féin and the website www.apresidentfor all.com and online petition has been widely advertised among activists. It is a bizarre situation where the President of Ireland, born in Belfast, cannot be voted for by her own people.

According to Ahern, the report is more concerned with examinations of issues such as age, whether the procedure for nominating presidential candidates was too restrictive and whether the office of President should even continue to exist.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland