Mythen calls for the extension of Presidential voting rights

Cllr Johnny Mythen has called for presidential voting rights to be extended to northern citizens and to the Irish diaspora. The Sinn Féin Councillor said that his party were campaigning for a constitutional amendment to allow for this extension.

Cllr Mythen said;
“Extending presidential voting rights to Irish citizens living in the Six Counties is a natural outworking of the Good Friday Agreement which enshrines the rights of people in the north to Irish citizenship. The President of Ireland is supposed to represent all Irish citizens, so all Irish citizens should have the right to decide who holds that office. The growing Irish diaspora should also have the right to decide.”

“Sinn Féin are currently campaigning for this extension of voting rights and if it requires a constitutional amendment, then this should be put before the people at the earliest opportunity. I would urge Wexford county council to ask any potential candidate who comes looking for their support of their views on extending voting rights to cover all Irish citizens. I would also appeal to the people of County Wexford to make this an issue. Write letters to the papers, text in to your local radio shows and ask the candidates through their websites and facebook pages.”

“Over half a million people hold legitimate Irish pass ports declaring their Irish Citizenship. They can play on the Irish soccer teams, Rugby teams, take part in the All Ireland hurling and football competitions, but cannot vote for an Irish President. Surely we as a democratic Nation should recognise the full rights of all citizens on this Island and amend our constitution to allow a Presidential vote to all thirty two counties.”