The President will be the voice and the face of Ireland, representing not just who we are, but more importantly our ambition for what we want Ireland to become – the Diaspora is bound to this. The Global Irish Forum was held here in Dublin a mere two weeks ago attesting to our long and chequered history of emigration. Moreover it acknowledged the contribution given by our Irish emigrants both culturally and economically, building the foreign cities of London, Vancouver and Sydney. With Irish nationals emigrating once more in tandem with our economic downturn our global Irish presence and subsequent network becomes greater and more active.

If elected President, I want to make emigrant issues a key priority. There are thousands who have left not of their own accord, if elected I will do everything in my power to make sure that we shine the light on them. I believe the next President of Ireland should play a huge part in setting the tone and defining the key issues that will help to transform Ireland. Unemployment and emigration are the key issues facing our country once more, this is why I want to put enterprise at the heart of the next Presidency because local jobs are the glue that hold our communities together. As our economy has suffered, so too have our communities.

President Mary McAleese has described Irish emigrants as ‘unofficial ambassadors’ for the country, I as President would return this and be an ambassador for all the people of Ireland – at home and away. I believe that members of the Diaspora who are less than five years or so away should have a vote in presidential elections.

The people of Ireland have the right to the ownership of Ireland and the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be Sovereign and indefeasible, otherwise our nations struggle for independence was in vain .

There will be no foreign landlords, especially bondholders and banks, I would prefer to burn the bondholders than the families of Ireland  We need an Independent President with no political ties or boardroom or business favours to repay, a President who cannot be bought who listens to the people and represents everyone and can rebuild trust  between the people and the institutions that have failed them. I will be that President .  I have lived in both the North and South and  will continue the peace process, like outgoing President McAleese.

My presidency will seek to bring home people’s children who have been forced to emigrate. I feel the pain brought by emigration , my eldest daughter , her husband and my new grandchild recently had to leave our country only a month ago to seek employement , as did my younger son last year. I have always been an Ambassador .

If elected President I will bring the experience and recognition of representing Ireland as a businesswoman and entertainer for the past forty years; As MEP in the European Parliament  engaging with heads of Governments, heads of States and with Presidents; Associating with international leaders of Faiths and with leaders of business. I will bring this experience to the role of Presidency.

MICHAEL D. HIGGINS HIGHLIGHTS VOICE OF EMIGRANTS

RESPONDS TO BALLOTBOX CALL FOR EMIGRANT VOTE

I have always stressed during my 40 years as a public representative that there should not be a ‘Forgotten Irish’.  Our emigrants over so many years should be acknowledged at home for the contribution they have made across so many countries and the support they so faithfully gave to those at home.  This is why almost every year I have travelled to London to meet with the Irish in Cricklewood and Camden.

This year, when I travelled to London, I also met with many younger people – a new generation of Irish who find themselves travelling to different parts of the world in search of employment or opportunity and who are very often making a powerful mark on their new homes.

The Ballotbox.ie initiative shows the desire of these recent Irish emigrants to have a say in the Irish electoral process and help shape the direction of a country that many hope to return to.

The vision I am offering for Ireland is built on inclusive citizenship, where everyone participates and is respected, in a creative society, opening up new possibilities in every area of life from science to communications, as part of a real republic that makes us proud to be Irish in the world.

I come from a family where emigration was an economic necessity.  My aunt and uncle on my father’s side are buried in Australia, two sisters emigrated to Manchester, and I still have extensive family connections in that city.  More recently many of my nieces and nephews have emigrated to make new lives in Sydney,London and New York.

As for myself, I was the first member of my family to go to university and after that opportunity, I also experienced relocation for a time when I studied and worked in Manchester and in Indiana (USA).

My story very much enables me to understand the story of many of the recent emigrants who have been forced to emigrate.  I believe Ireland has a leading role to play on the world stage and if elected President of Ireland, I will strengthen every strand of our international reputation, from culture and the arts to business innovation to humanitarian and peacekeeping work to the contributions made by the Irish in so many countries. I will highlight the best of our tradition and the spark of innovation, mindful of the fact that Ireland’s reputation has, sadly, been tarnished by the failed economic and social models of recent years.

I believe we need to build a whole new relationship with our Diaspora – a relationship which will, in effect, replace the earlier concept of emigrants’ remittances with a new model of support which contributes directly to the welfare of the Irish abroad, but also to the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland itself, that is built on solidarity and a shared sense of Irishness.

The whole issue of emigration and Diaspora rights currently merits review in the context of the new wave of emigration from Ireland. A new generation, including many of my own family, are sadly leaving to begin new lives and careers in the UK,Australia, and Canada or in emerging economies such as India and China.

I believe that if Irish people are again finding themselves travelling abroad, it is best that they try to do so with as full a heart as possible and positive expectations of the world. Despite the wrench that emigration can represent for families across Ireland- those who leave must not feel they are going in defeat, with feelings of loneliness, but should instead be equipped with hope, connections and practical supports.

One issue which has been raised before relates to proposals around electoral enfranchisement for the Irish abroad. In this regard the Constitutional Convention – a major review of our constitution which is taking place next year, on that document’s 75^th anniversary, could prove significant.  This review will be an opportunity for recent Irish emigrants to make their case for electoral inclusion.  Proposals I have heard include the idea that those who were on the electoral register, or would be entitled to be on it, should be able to retain the right to vote in some or all of our elections for a specified period, perhaps five years.  Although as President I would not be able to take a position on a specific proposal I do think this is worthy of consideration – particularly bearing in mind that technological changes seem to have addressed previous concerns around the compilation and maintenance of an electoral register of Irish citizens abroad.

As candidate for President, I cannot and will not attempt to be prescriptive in or pre-empt the discussion and outcomes of our important constitutional review. However I very much look forward to hearing its recommendations on this issue and being supportive of anything that deepens meaningful involvement of the Irish abroad in the life of our nation.

I want to encourage belief in ourselves at home, and a pride in being Irish in the world.  We need to draw on our much strength and demonstrate our belief in the people ofIrelandand the Irish Diaspora throughout the world.

This country is full of talented, creative and generous people and we need to harness those attributes, abilities, skills to create a positive roadmap towards our shared futures. I offer leadership and vision as President, and will work with all our citizens, to make all Ireland’s voice resonate across the world.