Written question asked by Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 25 January 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 February 2023. It was answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 February 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Voting Rights: Republic of Ireland

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether Irish citizens resident in Great Britain under the Common Travel Area have the right to vote in (1) general elections, (2) local elections, and (3) referendums; and whether UK citizens resident in the Republic of Ireland have the same rights to vote in (4) general elections, (5) local elections, and (6) referendums.

Answer: Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland have a long-standing reciprocal arrangement on voting rights between the two countries. Irish citizens resident in the UK can vote in UK Parliamentary and local elections. The franchise for UK-wide referendums is set on a case-by-case in the legislation providing for the referendum. British citizens resident in the Republic of Ireland can vote at Dail and local Elections but not in Presidential elections or referendums held in the Republic unless the British citizen is a also an Irish citizen.

Secondary information