A group of doctors urging a No vote in the upcoming citizenship referendum have called on the masters of Dublin maternity hospitals to publicly clarify their position on the issue.
Dr Austin O'Carroll, a spokesman for the group, who treats a number of asylum-seeker patients, said the problem of over-crowding at the maternity hospitals was "essentially an issue of resources".
He said the masters had painted an "ambiguous picture of the situation by meeting with the Minister of Justice and not clarifying that the heart of the problem is a lack of funding for the health services from the Government."
Dr Juliet Bressan
He added: "As a doctor I believe we must stop this line of argument about where and when we can treat patients."
Dr O'Carroll dismissed suggestions the maternity hospitals are "swamped" by asylum-seeking women in late pregnancy and called on the masters of the Rotunda, Coombe and Holles St to reveal the exact numbers of expectant mothers presenting in that category.
While Dr O'Carroll was keen to stress the good work the doctors, nurses and staff carry out each day in the maternity hospitals, he said the manner in which the argument was presented by the Government and the masters has increased the sense of stigmatisation amongst asylum seekers.
He claimed a number of his patients feel depressed and victimised by the publicity surrounding the referendum.
He pointed out that women who arrive in late pregnancy often stand a better chance of saving or improving their child's life than if they remained in their country of origin.
Thirty one GPs - including Dr Jerry Cowley, TD, and Senator Mary Henry - have signed up to back the 'No' campaign, which was launched at a press conference earlier this morning.
"This referendum is an attempt by the government to deflect anger away from the real issues of under-funding of the health services," said Dr Juliet Bressan.
In an open letter the doctors say the basis for Irish citizenship through birth "should remain as it has done for the last 83 years, (and as it is in other countries such as Canada, the US, New Zealand, India and in countries in Africa and South America).
"We do not accept the claim that people are 'abusing a loophole'. In our experience, our [asylum seeking] patients are either people who are fleeing torture and abuse of such extremity as to be outside our comprehension, or are seeking a better future for their children," the letter adds.
Meanwhile, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has come out in support of the No campaign in the referendum.
USI Deputy President and Campaigns Officer, Mr Gareth Keogh said Irish people are being asked to vote on an issue "on which there is little or no accurate information. Minister McDowell has looked to create a climate of fear to allow the Government to throw a smokescreen over any serious debate about citizenship in Ireland."