Good morning everyone - the big day is finally here, and our conference on citizenship, emigrants and voting rights post-Brexit is about to get underway at 8.30am. @VICAcampaign @Clinton_InstUCD @EPICMuseumCHQ

An important & timely intervention from @VotingRightsIE at Leinster House today. Let this be the last presidential election where Irish citizens in the North & abroad are denied the right to vote. Sponsored by @frances_black there was a clear appetite to advance this issue.

Agree @LarryPDonnelly Billy Cantwell writes persuasively from Sydney. “The Aussies put a six-year limit on this but it can be renewed. Britain has a 15-year limit. It is designed to keep citizens connected and it works.” For Irish citizens abroad not already on the electoral role

Billy Cantwell: Irish people aged 25 to 44 are emigrating again in their droves. Giving them the vote is a no-brainer

“At embassies and consulates around the planet, Australians gather on election day to vote. It’s a point of connection. The overseas voters feel included, not forgotten. They are not emigrants. They are “Aussies abroad”. - Billy Cantwell. What about our Irish abroad?

"What does Ireland look like when the entirety of its citizens become empowered to refashion its future? Granting the vote to Irish emigrants would bring us one step closer to answering this important question." Full paper from @MauriceJCasey below:

Honoured to be part of a @GlobalIrish team dedicated to a powerful cause, extending voting rights in our presidential elections to all of our citizens worldwide. #GlobalGreening #GlobalIreland

Happy #StPatricksDay Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of the Irish nation on this day of celebration #GlobalIreland https://t.co/It8k2z5MZ5

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh go léir #StPatricksDay

Some thoughts on why we should extend this precious right to all of our citizens worldwide.

We are feeling very lucky to have you @ciarancannon Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at

"That’s why I’m honoured to be appointed vice-chair of the campaign for presidential voting rights for all Irish citizens and I look forward to working with our other vice-chair Emma DeSouza, chairperson Billy Lawless and all of our campaign team in ensuring a successful outcome”

"I believe that all of our citizens have a role to play in building a strong and cohesive global Irish community. They also deserve the right to elect our first citizen, that person who best embodies who we are and the things we cherish."

"Our citizens value every aspect of their Irishness and work hard in nurturing it no matter where they find themselves, be it in Birmingham, Boston or Bangkok. They also use every opportunity to promote Ireland and its interests through the networks they establish."

In taking on the role @ciarancannon said, "In my three years as Ireland’s Minister for the Diaspora I was privileged to meet our citizens living in numerous locations around the world. I was always moved by their commitment to Ireland, to our identity and our culture."

"Together, we will work to create an exciting, inclusive, positive campaign for change across this island where the worth of all Irish citizens is considered equal.”

@EmmandJDeSouza, Vice-Chair and Northern spokesperson added, “I greatly look forward to working with Ciarán Canon. Ciaráns years of experience and passion in seeing the franchise extended will prove invaluable to the campaign."

Announcement: We could not be happier to introduce our new Vice-Chair @ciarancannon Chairperson @SenBillyLawless stated, "Ciarán Canon's Vice Chairmanship of https://t.co/tIOg1NgUca gives the movement a very positive boost of being successful in next years referendum"

"The foreign affairs minister said Ireland would be stronger for the inclusion of emigrants in presidential elections, and that the government would work to provide the electorate with as much information as possible before casting their vote." https://t.co/dkRoSyKOZH

"Former president of the Ulster Farmers' Union and former member of the Irish Seanad Ian Marshall said voting rights for people in Northern Ireland was about bringing the Republic in line with other countries which give rights to its citizens abroad." https://t.co/U7dUlkmHm5