Referendum: No campaigns Opposition parties and groups opposed to the referendum made their final calls for a No vote yesterday. The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Pat Rabbitte, called on the electorate to vote No.
"I believe this to be a referendum brought forward for the basest of political motives - to mobilise Fianna Fáil supporters who might otherwise stay at home . . . Frankly, it marks a new low in Irish political life, and if for no other reason should be rejected.
"When a Government brings forward a proposed change to the Constitution, it should do so on the basis of reasoned argument and after proper consultation."
Mr Rabbitte said the Government "had produced no facts, no figures, and no coherent or consistent case for change."
The amendment played "fast and loose with the Good Friday agreement, and plays straight into the hands of those who would undermine the agreement, and hence the will of the overwhelming majority of people on this island. Indeed in this regard the treatment of the SDLP by this Government has been outrageous. They have ignored legitimate concerns raised by the SDLP and apparently attempted to exert pressure on it to fall in behind Michael McDowell's amendment."
Mr Rabbitte advised voters: "If in doubt, vote it out.
"A No vote is the commonsense and safe way to ensure that this subject is properly debated and discussed, and becomes part of the wider discourse we need to have about the whole subject of immigration in the future."
The Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, said: "There should be none of this negativity, locking the doors, claiming there's no room at the inn.
"We should be doing this in a way which is just and human rights-based. The Government has not proved its case for this constitutional change."
Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent urged people to vote No in the citizenship referendum, and said it had incited racism. The referendum was "another example of the Government's not only arrogance but gross irresponsibility".
In a press release, Sister Stan Kennedy and Father Peter McVerry called on people to vote No in the referendum.
"There is confusion and concern with regard to why it is being held; about why it is being rushed through with little or no consultation; about the substance of the change to the Constitution that is being proposed; and about the serious impact that it will have if it is passed.
"A No vote on June 11th will maintain the status quo and give us the time we need for a proper, comprehensive political and public debate on immigration and citizenship, time which will enable us to make the best, most just and fair decision with regard to immigration and citizenship into the future."