Author Archives: VotingRights.ie

VotingRights.ie cofounder Billy Lawless, who has been an Independent member of the Seanad for the last four years, has written to Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin to express the importance of representation for emigrants, citizens in Northern Ireland, and other nonresident citizens in a new programme of government. In theContinue reading “VotingRights.ie seeks more inclusive citizenship in new programme of government”

VotingRights.ie is today launching a policy paper with ten recommendations aimed at facilitating voting rights for the Irish abroad. The paper is being launched ahead of the second Global Irish Civic Forum, which starts tomorrow at Dublin Castle. Download the paper –  Give all Irish Citizens the Right to Vote.

A new survey by the Irish Times has shown high levels of support among recent Irish emigrants for emigrant voting rights. The survey, which interviewed Irish nationals who emigrated after 2008, found: 62 per cent of respondents think they should be able to vote for the President, 63 per cent in general elections, 61 per cent inContinue reading “Irish Times survey shows strong support for emigrant voting rights among recent emigrants”

VotingRights.ie co-founder Billy Lawless has been appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Mr Lawless is an advocate for undocumented Irish emigrants in the Chicago area, as well as a supporter of Irish emigrant voting rights. We are delighted to see his longtime support for the global Irish community recognized and that his appointment willContinue reading “Co-founder Billy Lawless appointed to Seanad”

Several experts have called for an examination of barriers faced by returning emigrants in an article in the Irish Independent. The article focused on the high cost of car insurance for returnees, due to the fact that insurance companies currently do not take into account whether someone might have a clean driving record abroad: EmigrantsContinue reading “Indo highlights barriers to return”

The Union of Students in Ireland has teamed up with VotingRights.ie to call for voting rights for Irish citizens abroad. Here’s the press release from USI: The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and VotingRights.ie are partnering to campaign for a vote for Irish citizens abroad. USI are the leading partners on the new campaign in Ireland afterContinue reading “USI joins VotingRights.ie in calling for vote”

In case you missed it, this video of Irish people at home and abroad reciting the proclamation of 1916 as part of the Centenary commemorations is well worth watching. It’s a moving illustration of the strength of the connection between Ireland and the Irish abroad. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frtenews%2Fvideos%2Fvb.257558294273180%2F1273420892686910%2F%3Ftype%3D3&show_text=1&width=560

We recently launched our social media accounts. Keep up with all the news by following us on Facebook on the VotingRights.ie page and on Twitter at @VotingRightsIE.

A number of groups have sent a joint letter to the Taoiseach as he negotiates to form the next government, with a number of recommendations aimed at putting the emigrant vote into the next programme for government. VotingRights.ie was joined in signing the letter by other emigrant groups We’re Coming Back,Votes for Irish Citizens AbroadContinue reading “Letter to Taoiseach calls for steps toward voting rights”

Representatives of groups working with Irish people abroad have called for the post of the Minister of State for the Diaspora to be retained. Minister Jimmy Deenihan’s electoral loss prompted a Generation Emigration roundup of commenters heralding his accomplishments and citing the impact of his work and the importance of the position. Those commenting include representativesContinue reading “Ireland’s first Minister for Diaspora accomplished much – and the post should be retained”