No, Conor McGregor can't 'put forth' a migration referendum if he becomes President

Conor McGregor, who was found liable for sexual assault by a jury in Dublin last November, said on social media this week that if he becomes President of Ireland, he would call a referendum regarding Ireland's implementation of the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum.

“Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026," McGregor said on social media platform X on Thursday, just days after he enjoyed high-level engagements, including with US President Donald Trump, at the White House on St. Patrick's Day.

As the European Commission notes, Ireland officially opted into the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum last June, following a vote in both houses of the Oireachtas - the Dáil and the Seanad.

The Pact is described as a "comprehensive framework designed to manage migration more effectively across the European Union."

While the Pact is legally in effect, Ireland, along with other EU countries, has until June 12, 2026, to fully implement the new regulations.

McGregor's post continued: “So between now and 12 June 2026, several pieces of legislation have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas & then signed by the President. 

“The next presidential election must take place by 11 Nov 2025

“Who else will stand up to Government and oppose this bill? 

“Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. 

“I will! 

“For clarity also, as President, I would put forth this bill to referendum. 

“Although I oppose greatly this pact, it is neither mine nor governments choice to make.

“It is the people of Irelands choice! Always!

“That is a true democracy! 

“I would also be curious to hear our government officials reasoning for agreeing with this pact so fervently."

(As it happens, the Joint Committee on Justice's debate on the matter is available  here, the Seanad's debate is here, and the Dáil's debate is here.) 

“I would love to hear the debates! 

“Followed then by vote! 

“This is the future of Ireland with me as President. 

“All citizens of Ireland to have a voice and a choice on their future! 

“God bless our people! 

“Vote McGregor and have your voice heard!”

How are referendums called in Ireland?

Small problem - the President of Ireland, a largely ceremonial role, does not have unilateral power to call a referendum.

As per Citizens Information, there are two types of referendum in Ireland – a constitutional referendum, which relates to amending the Constitution of Ireland, and an ordinary referendum, which does not relate to amending the Constitution.

For a constitutional referendum, a Bill is first introduced in the Dáil, setting out the wording of the proposed amendment. If both the Dáil and the Seanad pass the Bill, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage makes an order specifying the polling day for the referendum.

An ordinary referendum may take place when the President, on receipt of a joint petition from a majority of the members of the Seanad and not less than one-third of the members of the Dáil and following consultation with the Council of State, decides that a Bill contains a proposal of such national importance that the will of the people thereon ought to be ascertained before the measure becomes law.

Neither type of referendum can just be 'put forth ' by the President of Ireland, as McGregor suggests.

Could Conor McGregor be nominated for Ireland's Presidential election?

Besides that, the chances that McGregor would even make it to the ballot for this year's Irish presidential election appear slim at best.

To be eligible for election as President of Ireland, the potential candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older.

However, the potential candidate must also be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas; at least four local authorities; or former or retiring Presidents can nominate themselves.

Gail McElroy, a professor of political science at Trinity College Dublin, explained to Sky News this week that most of Ireland's 60 Senators and 174 TDs are affiliated with a party.

Those parties would likely back a presidential nomination from within the party.

Professor McElroy told Sky News it's "not uncommon" for presidential candidates to be nominated via local authorities - but councils don't typically support candidates like McGregor.

"You're talking about different types of characters, you know Mary Davis, who runs the Special Olympics [who ran for president in 2011].

"It's likeable candidates who county councils feel should have the option to run."

McGregor's 'likeability' is arguable - He pleaded guilty to punching an elderly man in a Dublin bar, is an admitted drug user, was found liable for sexual assault in November, and is facing a sexual battery lawsuit in Florida.

Should he manage to receive a nomination, McGregor would then have to win the majority of the public's vote.

Sky News notes that in December 2023, an Irish Independent poll found that just 8% of respondents would vote for McGregor, with 89% saying they would not cast a ballot for him.

A lot has certainly changed since that poll - including the high-profile support McGregor appears to be claiming on social media, a lot of it US-based - but that is unlikely to translate to a winning presidential vote for the former UFC fighter.

"There are people with right-wing views or populist views or anti-immigrant views but not enough to affect McGregor," McElroy told Sky News.

"It would be a small minority vote. He's so far out. There are many, many candidates ahead of him."