Four political parties, a church leader and a representative of refugees and asylum seekers have combined to form Galway's opposition to the Government's citizenship referendum.
Labour is one of the four parties that will be represented at this evening's first public meeting of the group, in spite of the fact that the party has yet to declare its official position on the referendum.
Also speaking will be representatives of the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Socialist Workers' Party, while Ms Tokie Laotan, Nigerian-born candidate in Galway's local elections, and Minister Siar Yambasu of Galway's Methodist and Presbyterian church will also address the meeting.
Ms Orla Ní Chomhraí, spokeswoman for the Galway Campaign Against the Referendum, said that tonight's public meeting would address some of the concerns which have been raised about the plebiscite.
It would also focus on organising an active campaign against the referendum proposal, she said.
Ms Ní Chomhraí said that there had been much criticism over the format of the proposed Dáil debate, and the lack of time for the public to consider the proposal before the June elections.
"During the Dáil debate there will be no order of business, no leaders' questions, no oral or written questions, and no private members' business.
"The way this matter has been dealt with has given rise to concerns that this proposal has come from the Government in order to play the race card before the elections, and to deflect anger about the problems in health services on to immigrants," Ms Ní Chomhraí said.
