Time to extend voting rights - Hamill

Chairperson of Ógra Shinn Féin, Aodhán Hamill has called for the extension of Presidential Voting Rights to citizens in the north and the Irish diaspora.

Speaking after meeting Uachtarán na hÉireann Micheal D. Higgins, Aodhan Hamill said:

"It was an honour to meet Uachtarán na hÉireann Micheal D. Higgins & Sabina Higgins at the Áras this afternoon.

"Uachtarán na hÉireann is President of the whole Irish nation, all its parts and all its people - no matter where they live, and despite an undemocratic, illegal border being imposed on us near 100 years ago.

"It’s about time those of us in the north, who not only see ourselves, but are as much a part of the Irish Nation as someone in Cavan, Clare or Cork, had the right to vote for our Uachtarán.

"It’s been 5 years since the Constitutional Convention recommended that voting rights should be extend to Irish citizens in the North & abroad. Since then we’ve heard nothing but empty words from successive Dublin governments.

"I am calling on An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar to move swiftly to hold a referendum on the extension of Presidential voting rights, and to involve the entire Irish Nation in the election of our president."