Does Living Abroad Mean Losing the Right to Vote? Episode 423

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Irish citizens living abroad or in Northern Ireland have the right to vote in Irish elections? Sinn Féin has put forward a motion to extend voting rights in presidential elections to Irish citizens overseas and in the North. Supporters say it would honour the global Irish community and reflect modern realities. Opponents argue that voting should be reserved for those who live, work, and pay tax in Ireland.

Some callers said voting must be tied to residency. They felt people living abroad are too disconnected from daily life in Ireland to influence decisions that don’t affect them directly. Others raised concerns about security, fraud, and voters basing choices on outdated views.

But others passionately supported the motion, saying Irishness doesn’t end at the border. They pointed to the importance of the diaspora in shaping Ireland’s story and said presidential elections are largely symbolic. One caller argued that excluding Irish citizens in Northern Ireland is especially unjust.

As Niall points out, the debate raises deep questions about identity, participation, and what it really means to belong to a nation even from afar.