A chara, – Echoing the sentiments of Kate McGrane (November 23rd), Ireland continues to disenfranchise her sons and daughters in a fashion that is even unbecoming of a “third world” conflict-ravaged country.
Southern Sudan will be voting in a referendum on January 9th 2011 which may give the region potential independence in the New Year. Interestingly, the Southern Sudanese diaspora in eight different countries worldwide are able to register for this referendum and vote in their current countries. What an embarrassing horror it is, that Ireland cannot afford these same voting rights to her citizens as Southern Sudan – a country not yet in existence – is endeavouring to do. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Regarding Kate McGrane’s letter (November 24th), is it not immensely more concerning that those born abroad who live and work in Ireland, being subjected to the social welfare cuts, and tax hikes of future budgets, be deprived a right to vote in the upcoming general election?
Perhaps she might simply be content to choose the next Minister for Foreign Affairs? It is after all, her only involvement left with the State. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Kate McGrane (November 24th) specifies that the new wave of Irish emigrants should have voting rights in Ireland. She mentions “countless more before them”. Should they not have voting rights? Their right to a vote is equally important as they kept Ireland afloat with the remittances they sent home and they did not have the benefit of free further education.
About 115 countries and territories allow their emigrants to vote and the number is growing. It is a disgrace that Ireland is not among them.
Perhaps if voting rights had been given to Irish emigrants years ago, the country would not be in such an economic mess today. This has been contributed to by greed, corruption and the giving away of Ireland’s natural resources to multinationals. – Yours, etc,