Former minister for foreign affairs strongly backs exension of franchise in presidential elections to Irish people overseas
Simon Coveney: 'I’m someone who believes in unification on this island. But I also believe... that Britishness on this island needs to be part of that discussion." Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
“I think it’s important to be honest. I think there are a lot of senior politicians who shy away from this decision because of political reasons, who think that if we open this vote up, then we’re going to have a Sinn Féin president,” he said. Making a distinction between people living in Northern Ireland from others: “There’s a special situation where many Irish people in Northern Ireland see themselves as Irish, as I am. They have the same stake in their own minds in the future of Ireland as we have.
If accepted in a referendum, the proposal would let those of the 1.9m people living in Northern Ireland who declare themselves as Irish, and, roughly, a similar number living elsewhere holding an Irish passport a right to vote in presidential elections only. “So, what better way to do that than actually the person who represents this island in the future, North or South, being elected by everyone on this island,” Mr Coveney told the Kennedy Summer School, held in New Ross since 2012.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New RTE external activity register indicates payment of over €10,000 for nixerSinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the information released was “unsatisfactory”.
Read more »
Sinn Féin’s novel housing plan a challenge to Irish instincts about land ownershipAffordable homes would cost no more than €300,000 but the State would continue to own the land on which they are built
Read more »
Gerard Howlin: If Sinn Féin recovers, it could yet claim higher ground on housingUndecided voters, and those who make up their minds late on, will influence the outcome of the general election
Read more »
Gerard Howlin: The Sinn Féin surge is over and its fightback has hardly begunUndecided voters, and those who make up their minds late on, will influence the outcome of the general election
Read more »
Cliff Taylor: Can Sinn Féin’s housing policy deliver for a squeezed middle of young buyers?The locked-out generation is a key election battleground: Sinn Féin will hope its policy lands with them
Read more »
Harry McGee: Sinn Féin is unlikely to replicate its 2020 election performanceEven if the party can pivot the overarching political discussion from immigration to housing, the terms of engagement will not be the same as in 2020
Read more »