Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

It has been argued that this measure is inconsistent. It is not inconsistent because there is an entitlement which is not automatic citizenship. The blackest of black Unionists, so to speak, in Northern Ireland is entitled to claim citizenship of this State as of right if he or she was born in the island of Ireland, but we as a State do not impose the obligation of fidelity to the nation or loyalty to our State on someone unwillingly. That is the point I am making.