Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

On the point of two articles of the Constitution being read together, there is an exact parallel in the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. One of the articles in that legislation states that every child born is an Irish citizen, while a separate article states that if a person is born outside the jurisdiction in Northern Ireland he or she must make a declaration to take up citizenship. That is exactly what is being done in the Bill before the House.