Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I hope the local election candidates will have more on their minds than this issue over the next 65 days. European election candidates should certainly have much more on their plates, with the enlargement of the EU and all that brings with it. We cannot go around with our eyes closed. There is a problem in our maternity hospitals. I and other Senators have friends working in Dublin maternity hospitals who tell us these stories. This is anecdotal evidence. They are true stories of people coming to this country and trying to obtain residency and citizenship. They are coming here because we have a liberal regime. According to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, even if the Constitution is amended we will still have the most liberal regime in the EU. When this is put before the people and they see the minor alterations to the provisions on citizenship they will wonder what the hoo-ha is about.

This is not the first time a referendum has been held in conjunction with a general or local election. In 1992 people were asked to sign green, pink and blue forms to vote on three issues concerned with abortion. They were well able to understand it. This is much less convoluted. It is about restricting the right of citizenship, North and South, to those who have been resident in the country for a certain period. I will support the amendment and I appeal to Senators and the wider public not to engage in a racist campaign. The points made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform tonight should allay those fears. The Government parties will not be conducting a racist campaign.