“Irish Citizenship for Votes” – conspiracy theory takes a step closer as Social Democrats say the quiet part out loud – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

“Irish Citizenship for Votes” – conspiracy theory takes a step closer as Social Democrats say the quiet part out loud




There’s always been the conspiracy theory that the politicians in Ireland were pushing unlimited and uncontrolled immigration to get more votes for themselves and their political parties.
Up till now, it was a crazy conspiracy theory. But given the Dail speech by Social Democrats Holly Cairns this week, Irish Citizenship for Votes conspiracy theory might just have some truth in it.

Social Democrats Holly Cairns tweeted:
“Every single vote counts. I know that more than most.
I’ve knocked on thousands of doors in West Cork over the past four years and I’ve met countless people who’ve lived here for decades, pay taxes and contribute to their communities, but cannot vote in general elections.”

During the Second Stage debate of the Electoral Reform Bill 2022 Holly Cairns, speaking on the specific need to extend general election voting rights to non-citizen resident’s (migrants living in Ireland without Irish citizenship) the TD called for the electoral commission to empower work on “extending the franchise to as many residents as possible.”

This, she said, would enhance our representative democracy “and strengthens integration.”

Deputy Cairns was also highly critical of what she called the “needlessly complex and expensive naturalisation (Irish Citizenship) process, which is a barrier to accessing citizenship, leaving people without a right to vote.”

At least we now know that the Social Democrats are advocating for a faster and cheaper route to Irish Citizenship for migrants already living in Ireland so they can vote in our elections.

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