Why don't we tax the Irish outside of Ireland?

Lillyfae

Hugh Bumpy Drain wrote: »

Well, the United States does it. Every US citizen, regardless of where he or she lives, must file an annual tax return with the IRS.

Tina Turner, who now resides in Switzerland, relinquished her US citizenship to avoid this.

Yes but they don't revoke citizenship if you don't file taxes...

Idbatterim

elperello wrote: »

The vote is not dependent on your tax contributions.

you hit the nail on the head there! thats why mid to high earners here are crucified, everyones vote is the same. You are a politician, who you going to attempt to buy off? the minority or the majority! morally corrupt incompetent scum!

Yurt2

seamus wrote: »

It's a bit crazy tbh. Why should anyone be able to cast a vote on matters that don't affect them?

The idea of expats being able to cast votes is more sentimental than it is logical, and is concerning from a democratic point of view.

You're giving people the power to appoint politicians (and by proxy to create laws) that will have power over others, but not over them. Imagine the power to elect the members of Mayo County Council was given to Dublin voters.

It doesn't make sense.

And the biggest issue for democracy is that the foreign vote is often very disconnected from the reality on the ground, instead casting votes based on what they remember their country used to be like, or even worse, based on what their current host country is like. Thus, the country is not directed in the way that the people want it, but by external influences.

The only logical argument for allowing some level of foreign vote, is the fact that an expat's status is reliant on good relations between their host country and their country of origin. And thus, any breakdown in foreign relations is likely to directly affect them.

However, I don't personally believe that such a niche concern justifies giving expats a vote over other matters outside of foreign policy.

Of course it affects me, I live abroad for a few years at a time as work requires, but Ireland is home. I hold no other citizenship and have had no right to vote in other countries.


If it's crazy, then then France, Germany, Austria, Japan, New Zealand etc must all be crazy too.



Quite frankly, I think a large reason why it's not entertained is because incumbent parties are terrified of a situation where p*ssed off economic exiles would demolish them forever more at the ballot box. The people who left the country temporarily in the last recession probably would've killed off FF for good had they had a vote. And who could have blamed them? They were among the most affected by sh*t governance - and besides suffering the indignity of having to leave the country to find decent work, they are also robbed of a political voice. I was one of them, and a lot of Irish expats would have loved to had their say around then.

People who don't care or have left Ireland behind in their minds for good aren't likely to show up at the embassy/consulate to vote anyway, so what's the problem?

irelandrover

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Presumably you got your virtually free third level education .

Do you give people who haven't gone to third level education a discount on their taxes? Or people who did their education abroad a discount?

NSAman

seamus wrote: »

It's a bit crazy tbh. Why should anyone be able to cast a vote on matters that don't affect them?

The idea of expats being able to cast votes is more sentimental than it is logical, and is concerning from a democratic point of view.

You're giving people the power to appoint politicians (and by proxy to create laws) that will have power over others, but not over them. Imagine the power to elect the members of Mayo County Council was given to Dublin voters.

Yez are about to vote back into power the same A**holes who have presided over the reason many people are abroad and you think it doesn’t affect them ?

Think of it as people outside the BS saving you from making the same mistakes again.

nkl12xtw5goz70

Lillyfae wrote: »

Yes but they don't revoke citizenship if you don't file taxes...

They don't, but you can still be pursued or potentially prosecuted for not filing returns. This is an issue for many people around the world who many not even realize that they have an obligation to file annually with the IRS.

In the vast majority of cases, double taxation agreements will ensure that no tax is owed in the US. But some individuals may have a US tax liability that they're unaware of.

biko

Yeah, let's dig down and join US and Eritrea

https://internationalman.com/articles/this-appalling-practice-is-only-used-in-two-nations-and-the-us-is-one-of-th/

Eritrea is hounded, ostracized, and sanctioned for using—according to the UN—“threats, harassment and intimidation” to “extort” taxes out of its citizens living abroad.

seamus

Yurt! wrote: »

I hold no other citizenship and have had no right to vote in other countries.

That's an issue between you and your host countries. That's not Ireland's problem. Maybe choose to live in countries that allow non-citizen residents to vote?

If it's crazy, then then France, Germany, Austria, Japan, New Zealand etc must all be crazy too.

Yes? Why not?

Quite frankly, I think a large reason why it's not entertained is because incumbent parties are terrified of a situation where p*ssed off economic exiles would demolish them forever more at the ballot box.

This is a good reason to not allow it.

Because pissed-off economic exiles will vote based on how they felt leaving Ireland a decade ago and not based on the reality of how Ireland is today, and what Ireland needs today. There'll be forever a cohort of voters giving their votes to FF/FG/SF because of their misty-eyed memories of Ireland gone past, or conservative loons backing Aontú or the racists because of what their Auntie "back home" posted on Facebook.

LillySV

elperello wrote: »

The vote is not dependent on your tax contributions.

If your not contributing to the country then why should u have a right? Your not funding what’s going on?

tjhook

Yurt! wrote: »

Quite frankly, I think a large reason why it's not entertained is because incumbent parties are terrified of a situation where p*ssed off economic exiles would demolish them forever more at the ballot box.

That's not how I see it.

If you're left-wing, and vote for a left-wing party/individual, you should have to live with the increased taxation etc.

If you vote right-wing, you should have to live with the risk of less social supports when you need them.

It's very easy to take a strong position on what's best for a country when you don't live there.

seamus

NSAman wrote: »

Yez are about to vote back into power the same A**holes who have presided over the reason many people are abroad and you think it doesn’t affect them ?

Think of it as people outside the BS saving you from making the same mistakes again.

Just because you think you know better, doesn't mean you should have a vote.

The rest of the continent could see that the EU referendum in the UK was complete BS and a stupid decision.

You don't see anyone arguing though that the rest of the EU should have been given a vote in order to save the Brits from themselves.

Same thing here. You might think you know better. That doesn't entitle you to a vote though.

Lillyfae

Hugh Bumpy Drain wrote: »

They don't, but you can still be pursued or potentially prosecuted for not filing returns. This is an issue for many people around the world who many not even realize that they have an obligation to file annually with the IRS.

In the vast majority of cases, double taxation agreements will ensure that no tax is owed in the US. But some individuals may have a US tax liability that they're unaware of.

The Catch 22 being that most Americans have no entitlement or possibility of citizenship or even residency elsewhere- Irish people can live and work pretty much anywhere in Europe as soon as they arrive and full citizenship wouldn't be difficult to obtain. The Irish diaspora, be it the 4th generation "Irish" American wouldn't be the best person to be casting votes on issues concerning Irish citizens today, and the emigrant from 15 years ago would have little interest in funding the nanny state and would just give it up.

Yurt2

seamus wrote: »

That's an issue between you and your host countries. That's not Ireland's problem. Maybe choose to live in countries that allow non-citizen residents to vote?

Yes? Why not?

This is a good reason to not allow it.

Because pissed-off economic exiles will vote based on how they felt leaving Ireland a decade ago and not based on the reality of how Ireland is today, and what Ireland needs today. There'll be forever a cohort of voters giving their votes to FF/FG/SF because of their misty-eyed memories of Ireland gone past, or conservative loons backing Aontú or the racists because of what their Auntie "back home" posted on Facebook.

People vote for dopes for all sorts of reasons and they live in Ireland, some of them are angry dopes themselves. Yet we allow them to vote. You don't get to deny the franchise to Bridie down the road because you might be suspicious of why she's voting a certain way. Hell, she might even have dementia and can't even remember last week, yet we don't deny her the right to vote should she want to.

Yurt2

Lillyfae wrote: »

The Catch 22 being that most Americans have no entitlement or possibility of citizenship or even residency elsewhere- Irish people can live and work pretty much anywhere in Europe as soon as they arrive and full citizenship wouldn't be difficult to obtain. The Irish diaspora, be it the 4th generation "Irish" American wouldn't be the best person to be casting votes on issues concerning Irish citizens today, and the emigrant from 15 years ago would have little interest in funding the nanny state and would just give it up.

Somehow, I can't see a tailgate of Caleb Murphy's from San Diego, whose Grandaddy was from Skibbereen, bothering to make their way to the Irish consulate in San Fran to influence the outcome in Cork-South-West.


Besides, a lot of countries (like NZ for instance) mandate you have to have lived in-country for a certain number of years, and must travel to NZ at certain intervals to retain your right to vote. Eminently sensible restrictions IMO.

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

We're actually one of the few EU countries that doesn't permit citizens to vote from abroad (Malta and Greece off the top of my head are the others, fine company). The rest of Europe must be stone cold kerrazy right?

If these jurisdictions allow people who, although citizens, are domiciled elsewhere for tax and every other purpose, then yes, hella batshit mentalist.

seamus

Yurt! wrote: »

People vote for dopes for all sorts of reasons and they live in Ireland, some of them are angry dopes themselves. Yet we allow them to vote. You don't get to deny the franchise to Bridie down the road because you might be suspicious of why she's voting a certain way. Hell, she might even have dementia and can't even remember last week, yet we don't deny her the right to vote should she want to.

Because the people who vote for those dopes have to live with the consequences of that vote. You don't. You can happily watch from afar while the dopes screw the rest of us.

Yurt2

jimgoose wrote: »

If these jurisdictions allow people who, although citizens, are domiciled elsewhere for tax and every other purpose, then yes, hella batshit mentalist.

You should visit Vienna it's quite nice.


To turn it on it's head. Why should a person who is seconded abroad or takes up a short-term contract abroad temporarily be denied a vote (that's a lot of people by the way and probably was the overwhelming majority of the exodus of young people in the crash - most of whom returned)?


A vote is of course great consequence to them. Most people who leave Ireland, don't leave forever - this isn't the 1840s.

Yurt2

seamus wrote: »

Because the people who vote for those dopes have to live with the consequences of that vote. You don't. You can happily watch from afar while the dopes screw the rest of us.

I returned home mid-way through the previous Dail and had to live with the government that I had no say in as an Irish citizen. I paid taxes that sustain the country too.

razorblunt

Gone Drinking wrote: »

0.5% from the earnings of any person with an Irish passport living and earning abroad. Just until a good part of the national debt is paid.

These lads have all done well to pull a runner, earning a good living in whatever country, leaving the rest of us to sort out our countries finances. The average person didn't fcuk this place to begin with but why should only those left at home have to fix it!

Also, pubs that want to brand themselves as an Irish bar in a foreign country should pay a tax.

I'd vote for a party with this agenda.

Thoughts?

Stop having them!

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

...To turn it on it's head. Why should a person who is seconded abroad or takes up a short-term contract abroad temporarily be denied a vote (that's a lot of people by the way and probably was the overwhelming majority of the exodus of young people in the crash - most of whom returned)?...

jimgoose wrote: »

If these jurisdictions allow people who, although citizens, are domiciled elsewhere for tax and every other purpose, then yes, hella batshit mentalist.

^^^

Yurt2

jimgoose wrote: »

^^^

>>>>

BailMeOut

Lillyfae wrote: »

Yes but they don't revoke citizenship if you don't file taxes...

no they do not but you can voluntarily give up if you want.

They have been talking forever about linking passport renewals to tax retuens but it never happens.

Lillyfae

Yurt! wrote: »

You should visit Vienna it's quite nice.


To turn it on it's head. Why should a person who is seconded abroad or takes up a short-term contract abroad temporarily be denied a vote (that's a lot of people by the way and probably was the overwhelming majority of the exodus of young people in the crash - most of whom returned)?


A vote is of course great consequence to them. Most people who leave Ireland, don't leave forever - this isn't the 1840s.

If a person is seconded or on a short term contract then it's likely of no consequence to them because they are still tax resident in Ireland and thus retain their vote. During the marriage equality referendum I was seconded to Ireland, oddly, and although my parents were still receiving polling cards for me I didn't vote because I don't live in Ireland and don't have the right, legally or morally. Although it was a topic very important to me, what's more important to me is the people who the outcome actually affected had the last word on it, not someone who will never be affected by it but thinks they might know better. The "home" to vote rubbish made me very annoyed altogether.

Yurt2

Lillyfae wrote: »

If a person is seconded or on a short term contract then it's likely of no consequence to them because they are still tax resident in Ireland and thus retain their vote. During the marriage equality referendum I was seconded to Ireland, oddly, and although my parents were still receiving polling cards for me I didn't vote because I don't live in Ireland and don't have the right, legally or morally. Although it was a topic very important to me, what's more important to me is the people who the outcome actually affected had the last word on it, not someone who will never be affected by it but thinks they might know better. The "home" to vote rubbish made me very annoyed altogether.

Tax residency is not linked to voting rights

LirW

Yurt! wrote: »

Somehow, I can't see a tailgate of Caleb Murphy's from San Diego, whose Grandaddy was from Skibbereen, bothering to make their way to the Irish consulate in San Fran to influence the outcome in Cork-South-West.


Besides, a lot of countries (like NZ for instance) mandate you have to have lived in-country for a certain number of years, and must travel to NZ at certain intervals to retain your right to vote. Eminently sensible restrictions IMO.

The US runs differently in terms of politics with a lot of extreme beliefs, where supporters have no issue making a crusade out of it. A good example are super conservative Christians that involve themselves into end-of-life or abortion campaigns, often with a ridiculous amount of money.

Far-right and far-left are an entirely different ballgame over there and I can see that this could leave room for some nasty election surprises, especially since it's not particularly difficult claiming an Irish citizenship for many. In a way Ireland is unique in that regard because the amount of diaspora Irish is huge compared to the actual residents of the country.

Now I'd be entitled to cast a vote via post in my homecountry, so I might be a bit biased in that regard because generally I don't see a big deal with it and it is great for people that are abroad for whatever reason on election day. My husband has to go abroad for work over the election weekend on short notice and would have loved to vote but can't now.
I believe a residency rule is a pretty fair way to go.

Yurt2

And linked to the previous post. It stands to reason that many people voted in that referendum who technically should have been removed from the electoral roll (although morally, I firmly beleive they had the right to vote on it).

It would have been a very very interesting hulaballoo if the gov. actively tried to restrict some of the 'home to vote' crew. It probably would have ended up in the courts, and it would more interesting still to hear what the supreme court would have to say if they attempted to do so.

Lillyfae

Yurt! wrote: »

Tax residency is not linked to voting rights

Citizens seconded or on a short term contract abroad would most likely still be resident though.

Yurt2

Lillyfae wrote: »

Citizens seconded or on a short term contract abroad would most likely still be resident though.

Yet they are denied a vote

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

Yet they are denied a vote

Which is wrong, assuming these people are domiciled in Ireland, for tax and other purposes. My problem is with the romantic and pudding-headed notion that people who's lives are fully elsewhere should have a vote here.

Yurt2

jimgoose wrote: »

Which is wrong, assuming these people are domiciled in Ireland, for tax and other purposes. My problem is with the romantic and pudding-headed notion that people who's lives are fully elsewhere should have a vote here.

In-law, your right to vote is not linked in any way to tax.

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

In-law, your right to vote is not linked in any way to tax.

Yes I know, it is linked to where you live, as it should be.

tjhook

Yurt! wrote: »

Yet they are denied a vote

Do you mean that the state doesn't allow them to vote? I didn't think that was the situation. People are left on the electorial register after leaving the country, hence the "home to vote" stuff. You can be gone for up to 18 months and still have a legal right to vote.

Or do you mean that you need to be physically present to vote? I wouldn't say that's being denied a vote. You could travel back to vote if you like (see "Home to vote" above).

Yurt2

jimgoose wrote: »

Which is wrong, assuming these people are domiciled in Ireland, for tax and other purposes. My problem is with the romantic and pudding-headed notion that people who's lives are fully elsewhere should have a vote here.

I live abroad, temporarily. I am an Irish citizen and have a large stake in the country's future. I own property in Ireland (so technically I pay property tax, however meagre), my entire family is in Ireland, I intend to raise my young family there (to do the economic morality argument for a moment) have paid a lot of tax (proudly) and will pay even more in the future. Reasonable accommodation should be made for Irish citizens in such circumstances to have their say in the upcoming election. I don't get why other Irish citizens would be scared with people having a voice. I'm an informed and engaged Irish citizen. I'm not third-generation Irish-American Caleb Murphy from San Diego.

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

I live abroad, temporarily. I am an Irish citizen and have a large stake in the country's future. I own property in Ireland (so technically I pay property tax, however meagre), my entire family is in Ireland, I intend to raise my young family there (to do the economic morality argument for a moment) have paid a lot of tax (proudly) and will pay even more in the future. Reasonable accommodation should be made for Irish citizens in such circumstances to have their say in the upcoming election. I don't get why other Irish citizens would be scared with people having a voice. I'm an informed and engaged Irish citizen. I'm not third-generation Irish-American Caleb Murphy from San Diego.

Well you're not who I'm talking about at all, Chief!

Yurt2

tjhook wrote: »

Do you mean that the state doesn't allow them to vote? I didn't think that was the situation. People are left on the electorial register after leaving the country, hence the "home to vote" stuff. You can be gone for up to 18 months and still have a legal right to vote.

Or do you mean that you need to be physically present to vote? I wouldn't say that's being denied a vote. You could travel back to vote if you like (see "Home to vote" above).

That's the point, I know of several people who came home to vote who were well over the 18 months. It was a large swell of people, so we could have had possibly a 5-figure amount of people that technically shouldn't have been allowed to vote. Morally, I believe they should have the right to vote, but by the letter of the law, they should have been removed from the electoral roll.

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

...Morally, I believe they should have the right to vote, but by the letter of the law, they should have been removed from the electoral roll.

Does "morally" here mean "they all agreed with me"?

Yurt2

jimgoose wrote: »

Does "morally" here mean "they all agreed with me"?

Nope. Couldn't care less if they thought fetus' should be put in a blender or they thought every sperm is sacred. If an Irish citizen cares enough about the constitution or any critical issue to the country to book a flight from Canada / Japan (and people did) to vote on a workday, then that's signal enough for me that a reasonable accommodation should be made for Irish nationals with strong links to home to be allowed vote from abroad.

Lillyfae

Yurt! wrote: »

I intend to raise my young family there (to do the economic morality argument for a moment)

How young is young? Are we talking 6 months or 10 years? If you want to move back then by all means do it but unless there's a concrete plan in place it's just talk- Irish society and economy shouldn't be tasked with taking into consideration the wishes or opinions of people who might come back, some day.

I understand there maybe being a lack of work in a certain background but many are just maximising salary for a few years by teaching English in Vietnam on an Arts degree and casting a homesick gaze towards the ould sod.

Riskymove

medi_bai wrote: »

Simple enough really, when they apply for their next passport, don't issue until the bill is settled in full (plus penalties?).

The yanks have been managing to do it for years.

how do you know

• where they are?
  
• if they work/what they earn
  
• what they own?

cnocbui

Gone Drinking wrote: »

0.5% from the earnings of any person with an Irish passport living and earning abroad. Just until a good part of the national debt is paid.

These lads have all done well to pull a runner, earning a good living in whatever country, leaving the rest of us to sort out our countries finances. The average person didn't fcuk this place to begin with but why should only those left at home have to fix it!

Also, pubs that want to brand themselves as an Irish bar in a foreign country should pay a tax.

I'd vote for a party with this agenda.

Thoughts?

My thought is that your proposal is idiocy personified. I'm actually working at emigrating because taxation here is not something I want to put up with any longer. Imagine how many more exceedingly well paid and pensioned public servants would need to be employed to make this not work.

jimgoose

Yurt! wrote: »

Nope. Couldn't care less if they thought fetus' should be put in a blender or they thought every sperm is sacred. If an Irish citizen cares enough about the constitution or any critical issue to the country to book a flight from Canada / Japan (and people did) to vote on a workday, then that's signal enough for me that a reasonable accommodation should be made for Irish nationals with strong links to home to be allowed vote from abroad.

Understood. Fair enough, that is a valid opinion.

LirW

Lillyfae wrote: »

How young is young? Are we talking 6 months or 10 years? If you want to move back then by all means do it but unless there's a concrete plan in place it's just talk- Irish society and economy shouldn't be tasked with taking into consideration the wishes or opinions of people who might come back, some day.

I understand there maybe being a lack of work in a certain background but many are just maximising salary for a few years by teaching English in Vietnam on an Arts degree and casting a homesick gaze towards the ould sod.

And what exactly is wrong with it? People go abroad temporarily all the time while they're physically able to deal with more demanding schedules. If people do it for the money in order to settle down in Ireland where living costs are quite high, I don't see anything wrong with it. Needs must.

elperello

jimgoose wrote: »

Understood. Fair enough, that is a valid opinion.

Agreed in principle but rather a limited summary of the 8th Amendment debate.

elperello

LillySV wrote: »

If your not contributing to the country then why should u have a right? Your not funding what’s going on?

Not everyone is in a position to pay tax.

We adopted universal suffrage in the Constitution Article 16.

Lillyfae

Lillyfae wrote: »

How young is young? Are we talking 6 months or 10 years? If you want to move back then by all means do it but unless there's a concrete plan in place it's just talk- Irish society and economy shouldn't be tasked with taking into consideration the wishes or opinions of people who might come back, some day.

I understand there maybe being a lack of work in a certain background but many are just maximising salary for a few years by teaching English in Vietnam on an Arts degree and casting a homesick gaze towards the ould sod.

I know 9 Irish expats (and their families) pretty well (all in Asia or Australia). One of them is a graduate student teaching English (ielts examiner) and making decent money. The remainder are all professionals in their late 30s or early 40s working in formal Education or Business.

Most of the professionals own property in Ireland, but the cost of returning, in addition to losing the rental income (since they'd be forced to live within their own property due to costs and tax concerns), make a return something of a rather large investment.

I own a property in Ireland, along with investment in a variety of Irish companies. I have zero desire to return to Ireland considering the state of Irish politics. I haven't seen much to show that Irish politicians have improved from their behavior during and after the banking crash.

Still. I am Irish. I want the country to do well, so I maintain my property and investments, and pay my taxes while living abroad. I've no desire to vote in Irish politics because I don't plan on living in Ireland again (unless politics and government improve dramatically)... although I can certainly understand those who do want to return, wanting to have some influence.

However, if there was a movement to tax me further simply because I'm abroad... I'll sell up everything and walk away. Simple. I think many here don't realise just how many Irish people are living/working abroad, and still paying taxes in Ireland. You might be rather disappointed if that revenue dried up, along with goodwill business that happens because of our Irish connections.

The Tetrarch

Why don't we tax the Irish outside of Ireland?
Why don't we tax ostrich farmers on the Aran Islands?

It is about revenue, and the cost of gathering it.
We have double taxation agreements with 73 countries. Those agreements take care of the details. Perhaps the OP wants us to renegotiate. For what return?

tjhook

LirW wrote: »

And what exactly is wrong with it? People go abroad temporarily all the time while they're physically able to deal with more demanding schedules. If people do it for the money in order to settle down in Ireland where living costs are quite high, I don't see anything wrong with it. Needs must.

I agree that people have to do what's right for themselves and their families.

But why is it important that you (assuming you live here) or I have a vote here? It's because if we labour under a set of laws, we should have a say in what those laws are, and who decides them.

If people who don't live here have an equal say, it dilutes the say we (who live under these laws) have. And they don;t have to live under the resulting laws.

If a person hasn't lived here for years, they shouldn't get to decide how our lives here are ruled, on the basis that they may return some day.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Apart from being spiteful? What's the reasoning behind your "genius" idea OP? What exactly are they paying for?

sondagefaux

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Presumably you got your virtually free third level education and the ability to travel to begin with? Also many years of free healthcare. Who's paying for that if you've left the country?

Im sorry but do you realize that in order for your passport to be valid it needs to be backed by a state and in order for a state to exist it requires funding from its citizens? Primarily in the form of taxes.

I got my university education in Scotland. My father had VHI when I was a kid, and I was invoiced for a spell in hospital (as a public patient) in Galway.

Do I get an exemption?

Also, do you realise that passports aren't free?

The standard 10-year Irish passport costs €75.00 to renew online:

https://www.dfa.ie/passports/fees/

LirW

tjhook wrote: »

I agree that people have to do what's right for themselves and their families.

But why is it important that you (assuming you live here) or I have a vote here? It's because if we labour under a set of laws, we should have a say in what those laws are, and who decides them.

If people who don't live here have an equal say, it dilutes the say we (who live under these laws) have. And they don;t have to live under the resulting laws.

If a person hasn't lived here for years, they shouldn't get to decide how our lives here are ruled, on the basis that they may return some day.

I can only speak as someone who left their country of origin behind with no intention of ever returning. I don't vote at home because I am not involved in any way in what's happening there. My life is and will be abroad in the future. Other expats I know feel very similar.
But it gets a hell of a lot more complicated when people have commitments abroad but are somehow still invested in Ireland or know they'll return after that contract is up or the kids reach school age. If this case you often don't just make a clean cut and ignore what's happening there but you hold an interest in it because this is home and while not being physically present, you will more than likely be shortly. I think it is only natural to be invested in the politics of your homecountry if you consider it your patch.
People's lives aren't black and white and many expats own property or investments in Ireland for the very reason of setting their nest here for when their lives reach a settled stage.

Also the current system isn't only against long-term expats but it sucks for everyone who's not present on the day and can't get an exemption. There's no nuance in it as it stands so everyone who doesn't turn up, doesn't get a vote.