Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

It developed under the Roman system which, in order to bring people into the fold, granted citizenship to people of conquered countries to integrate them into the Roman Empire. Over the 18th century citizenship developed to include rights of individual freedom and of protection through the courts. In the 19th century citizenship came to include the right of political participation and was concerned with the extension of access to the parliamentary process. The republican movement developed throughout Europe in the late 18th century and early 19th century and the questions of democracy and how citizens controlled and directed their lives were important. In the 20th century citizenship came to include the right to a modicum of economic welfare and security and the right to a share in social heritage. This is the type of citizenship that applies in Ireland. In Ireland people are entitled to social welfare payments. When they grow old they are entitled to a decent old age pension. They are entitled to a medical card if their income is below a certain threshold. They are entitled to housing if they are on the housing list.

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