Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I had intended to say that I do not believe a reasonable and practical constitutional and legislative proposal, which is designed to bring Ireland's citizenship laws into line with those of our European partners, can be termed racist. It does not bring them into line with our European partners; they will still remain far more generous than the vast majority of our European partners' laws. I do not accept the argument of those who say the holding of this referendum on the same day as an election transforms an otherwise reasonable proposal into a racist one, as Senator Ryan has suggested. This shows little confidence in the ability of politicians to lead a mature debate or in the capacity of voters to discuss serious issues.

It has been said that this referendum should be postponed until the presidential election. I do not know whether there will be a presidential election but on the assumption that there will be and if a Member of this House or the other House were to stand for election in the autumn, are they to be silent on this proposal if it was to be decided on the same day? If they are not to be silent is the incumbent, were she to re-nominate herself, to be debarred from comment on this subject? Is that what we want? Do we want the candidates for the presidency to be lining up on this issue or be like Trappists and say nothing about this issue?