A Chara, - Pease O'Laughlin (April 25th) and others have argued that the native Irish abroad should be allowed to vote in the referendum. This, it is argued, would be in accord with Article 2's new wording that "it is the entitlement and birthright or every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish nation".
However, the referendum is on whether or not to change Articles 2 and 3. Thus the referendum is, in part, on whether to allow that "it is the entitlement . . ." It can hardly be allowed that the diaspora should have the right to vote on whether or not the diaspora should have the right to vote.
I have, over the years, debated the merits of allowing the native Irish abroad to have the right to vote, even on matters such as the election of a President and in referendums. My view is that only those on holidays (etc.) or on short-term visas should be allowed to vote on such matters.
I myself am going to come back and vote. - Is mise,
James Mahon, B.A., M.Phil
Department of Philosophy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.