Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the citizenship point, I may put down an amendment on Report Stage to remedy what is clearly a lacuna in our system. One has to be a citizen of Ireland to be a Member of this House and the Dáil and for many other purposes. It is strange that one can interpret the Constitution while not owing the duty cast on citizens by the Constitution, I think in Article 8 or Article 9, of a fundamental duty of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State. I think it is strange that we allow non-citizens to become members of the Judiciary.