Outgoing Taoiseach should set a date for referendum on Presidential Voting Rights – Ó Donnghaile
Following hearings at today’s Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has called on the outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny to fulfil the promise of his recent statement and to set a date for referendum on Presidential Voting Rights for citizens in the North and overseas.
Speaking after the meeting An Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile said:
“Today we heard contributions from Professor Colin Harvey of Queen's University Belfast and Mr Mark Bassett, Barrister-at-law, both of whom indicated that the extension of the franchise was a “modest constitutional change”.
"This is a longstanding demand that has been endorsed by the Constitutional Convention in 2014 and the outgoing Taoiseach should now name a date for holding this referendum.
"Equality cannot and should not have to wait.
"If the Government are serious about this issue then let’s have the debate and let’s have the referendum.”
