Emigrant to push plight of diaspora

CANDIDATE:AN IRISH emigrant based in London is to stand as an independent election candidate in Dublin Mid West.

Giving Irish citizens abroad the right to vote is one of the central planks of Michael Ryan’s manifesto. The 40-year-old management consultant and accountant emigrated from Rathcoole, Co Dublin, 15 years ago to find work.

Over the past three years, he has been commuting home from London at weekends for family reasons. “I was part of the last generation that had to leave Ireland because there were no jobs and here we are again 15 years later,” he said.

“I want Irish citizens living abroad to be able to influence the way we vote,” he said.

Unlike most politicians, he will not be able to spend all of his time canvassing. He will have just a week off to knock on doors but 20 friends will also canvass for him.

Many politicians have careers such as teaching that are conducive to politics, he said. “A month off for me is unrealistic and we need to encourage differently skilled people to get involved.”

Mr Ryan would be happy if he polled 2,000 votes as “the people I am appealing to do not live in the country.” If elected, he would move home and take the minimum wage for three months.

His manifesto includes: political reform, promoting volunteerism, harnessing the diaspora, TDs sharing the pain, and a referendum on the bailout.