IN BRIEF: On referendum day, a large number of expatriates, with no intention of returning to live in Ireland, could be “shipped in” to vote in favour of abortion, and having voted, “shipped out” again. This is a clear manipulation of the democratic process in Ireland and we must do everything we can to end it.

In Ireland, a person remains entitled to vote if he is absent from the country for up to eighteen months and has the intention of resuming residence within that period.

The new parliamentary rules of procedure for the EU Parliament, which MEPs approved in December, are just now coming to light.

And, the European public is not impressed.

In particular, one new parliamentary rule, no. 165, is a clear threat to the freedoms of expression and conscience - and, therefore, to the democratic institutions, themselves.