Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The issue we face is very simple. Should children born in Ireland get automatic citizenship even if neither parent has any real connection with Ireland or with the Irish people? The Oireachtas should have the power to determine the entitlement to Irish citizenship of children, neither of whose parents is an Irish citizen or is entitled to Irish citizenship. That is the reason I will vote "Yes" to the Government's proposals here in Dáil Éireann. That is why I will vote "Yes" when the question is put to the people on 11 June. That is the reason I urge support for this amendment to the Constitution.

The Government is right. We have a problem with our current citizenship law. We can only fix that problem by amending the Constitution. If we amend the Constitution and pass the Government's proposed legislation, we will still have "one of the more liberal states in the European Union from the point of view of citizenship". The Opposition amendment would only delay what we know we need. The Government's proposals are sensible and reasonable. I support the Government's proposals.

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