Fianna Fáil pledges votes for all Irish citizens in presidential elections

Fianna Fáil has pledged to extend voting rights to all Irish citizens for presidential elections as part of its new foreign affairs policy.

It also stresses the need for the preparation of a contingency plan if the UK decides to leave the European Union.

"The UK is Ireland's biggest trading partner and close ally in the European institutions," foreign affairs spokesman Brendan Smith says in the document.

“It is also the only country with whom we share a land border. The Irish Government must have an action plan in place where the UK decides to leave the EU outlining policy actions which will lessen the impact of any British decision to leave on our economy, on our position in EU and our vital relationship with the UK overall.”

Diaspora

The party also proposes a diaspora representative in a reformed Seanad. “This representative would act as a voice for the Irish abroad ... Voting rights for the diaspora should also be examined in Seanad elections.”

A border development zone should also be established to integrate, speed up and cut the costs of projects such as road infrastructure, broadband and healthcare, Mr Smith said.

Launching the party’s new foreign affairs policy document, Mr Smith outlined the party’s key positions in international affairs, and also called for the full recognition of the Palestinian state by the Irish Government.