Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak in this debate. With modern travel, only a few hours on a plane will take one half way across the world. The world is definitely a smaller place now and it is time we did something to regulate the situation. We are not denying citizenship to anybody. There is no doubt about that. However, speaking to one humane and talented medical practitioner in a maternity hospital over the past week, I was left in no doubt that there is great pressure on staff and patients because of the current situation. There are great health dangers and language difficulties with people who arrive on our shores in the latter stages of pregnancy. The medical person to whom I spoke said many accidents were just waiting to happen. The Government is courageous and correct to tackle this question at this time.

The Republic of Ireland is the only EU member state to grant automatic citizenship rights and therefore an EU passport. This is a fact we cannot ignore. A referendum on the citizenship rights to children born to non-national parents is a reasonable response to this problem. Most of the Members opposite agree this problem must be addressed. They agree one should not be automatically entitled to Irish citizenship as a birthright. At the same time, however, they accuse the Government of being racist for proposing a referendum. They blatantly contradict themselves in an attempt, perhaps, to confuse the electorate. To describe this referendum as being racist is political correctness gone mad. In this country we run the risk of avoiding rational political debate because certain public representatives will accuse one another of being extremist or reactionary. We cannot pretend there is not a crisis in our major maternity hospitals.

This referendum is not about race. Those who suggest it is are twisting the facts. The comments of certain members of the Opposition constitute irresponsible politicking. They assert that this Government is placing racism ahead of nationalism, as regards the citizenship referendum. This is totally untrue. It is a slur against the Government and the Fianna Fáil party. The referendum has, as its focus, the theme of nationalism, providing non-nationals with the opportunity of citizenship. It is certain members of the Opposition who have introduced the "red card" into the debate. That is a wrong tactic.

Racism is serious. It has ruined many lives through the centuries. To make such an allegation is an insult to those who have suffered, or are suffering, as a result of racism. Certain Members are using the issue of racism for political gain when they are well aware that it has nothing to do with this referendum.

One point the Opposition is ignoring is that the referendum is not affecting the asylum seeking process. Neither has it anything to do with it. Those who need the protection of asylum here will still go through the proper channels to attain citizenship. Certain Members try to make out that the Government is trying to prevent non-nationals from entering. The Opposition has deliberately twisted the issue. This approach is opportunistic, irresponsible and wrong. The Opposition is well aware the referendum is about the removal of a loophole in our system that has seen citizenship rights being abused.

The referendum is not about immigration procedures. It is not about race. It is about ensuring that Irish citizenship is not abused. We are entitled to bring the Constitution and our law on citizenship into line with European Union countries, so that we do not create unintended incentives that are unfair to us or to other member states. The Bill provides that in the case of a child born to non-national parents at least one will have lived in Ireland for three of the four years preceding the birth, before he or she is entitled to Irish citizenship. Where either parent of a child born anywhere in Ireland or the UK is a national or long-term resident, the child will still be entitled to Irish citizenship. I fully support the referendum.

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