Why the diaspora shouldn’t get a vote

The idea of allowing Irish abroad to vote in elections is a nice break from reality, but not one we should embrace

The Taoiseach’s big St Patrick’s week announcement was that a referendum will be held to allow the Irish abroad to vote in presidential elections. If his new friend Donald Trump has his way, many of the illegal Irish in the US will be able to avail of this right anyway by virtue of being deported back here.

Citizenship and loyalty to the state are potentially dangerous waters for the government to dip its ...