Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I have yet to be convinced. I would welcome an attempt by the Government, particularly by Senator Mansergh and others, to convince me that is not the case.

The proposed referendum also has strong implications for the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement, which was ratified by people on both sides of the Border, guarantees citizenship to every person born on this island. Has the Government seriously thought about the effect on the Agreement of the proposed change in the wording of the Constitution? It is already receiving a hammering from a number of different interests. It is disgraceful that the Government would attempt to do something for electoral gain which would affect one of the finest——