Organisations representing immigrants, Integrating Ireland, along with the Irish Refugee Council, have welcomed a decision by Mr Cullen and the Department of the Environment and Local Government to amend electoral regulations so that a wider range of identification is now acceptable. Anne Lucey reports.
However, the agencies have called for an information campaign targeting immigrant voters and they say it is ironic they will be voting on a day when the Irish electorate voting alongside them are asked to decide on the status of immigrant children.
The change, with effect from April 22nd last, means that Temporary Residence Certificate cards and Garda National Immigration Bureau cards, often the only identification papers held by refugees and asylum-seekers, will now be acceptable at polling stations.
Dr Jean-Pierre Eyanga, project officer with Integrating Ireland, said the change was long overdue. He called for an advertising campaign in the media to notify people of the change.
Immigrants' agencies had banded together to criticise the Government for "its complete lack of any attempt" to encourage non-Irish people to vote in the local and European elections.
The elections were an ideal opportunity for greater integration in what was now a multi-cultural society, Dr Eyanga said.
Asylum-seekers, refugees and emigrant workers "ordinarily resident" here since last September are entitled to vote in the local elections next June. However, they will not be entitled to vote in the referendum or the European elections.
Regarding the proposed citizenship referendum, Dr Eyanga said: "It is very ironic that, on the day that immigrants have their first opportunity to participate in Irish politics, they will be joined at polling stations by an Irish electorate voting to decide if and when immigrant children can be permitted to join the Irish nation."