Tánaiste refuses to be drawn on votes for emigrants

Tánaiste Joan Burton refused to be drawn on the Government extending the vote to Irish emigrants in presidential elections.

She was replying to Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien who said the constitutional convention had voted overwhelmingly to recommend the extension in the franchise.

He added that many people would consider it to be the first step in a process which would eventually enable Irish citizens to also vote in future general and local elections.

Ms Burton said the Government had been working through a menu of the very important proposals brought forward by the convention.

“There will be an opportunity for the deputy and others from his party to bring forward proposals on the work of the convention,’’ she added.

She said that two constitutional questions, on marriage equality and the age qualification of presidential election candidates, would be put to the people next year.

Mr O’Brien said while the two referendums were important, a number of other issues had been discussed by the convention.