Fine Gael : 7th Feb 2011 - "We are proposing that in the upcoming presidential election that we would allow eligible Irish citizens abroad to vote at Irish embassies, and if that is a success we hope to extend the practice to general elections so that Irish people whether they’re living in Boston, or Toronto, or Sydney, or Brussels or wherever will actually have a say in how their country is being governed."
Labour : 8th Feb 2011 - “Currently, the only people entitled to an absentee vote are civil servants and military personnel who are working out of the country. We want this to be extended to all emigrants, at least during their first five years out of the country.”
Department of the Taoiseach:
I request that the Irish government honour its pre-election statement of intent to review, identify, and implement a fair system of voting rights and political representation within Ireland for Irish citizens abroad.