Referendum: The Government has not demonstrated any "substantive evidence" to support its claims that large numbers of foreign women were giving birth in the Republic to obtain citizenship for their children, according to the National Womens' Council of Ireland.
Calling for a No vote, the council's director, Dr Joanna McGinn, said the Government was rushing a fundamental change in the Constitution "without including women in meaningful discussions" on immigration and citizenship.
She said the council, which says it represents some 300,000 women in the Republic, would not remain silent in the face of such a change.
"What Ireland needs now is a fair and comprehensive immigration policy that is compassionate, anti-racist and recognises the rights and needs of women."
Speaking in Dublin at the introduction of the council's "Vote No" leaflet, Dr McGinn said migrant women and children had to be valued and respected for the contribution they made to society and the economy.
The referendum sent out an irresponsible message at the expense of women and children because they were being blamed in the referendum for the Government's failure to "properly resource" maternity and health services, she said.
"This lack of funding is not new. Over the last decade the Government has been closing beds in maternity wards. How can they now place the blame for their inaction on a small group of extremely vulnerable women?"
Her claims were rejected by the Progressive Democrats TD, Ms Fiona O'Malley, who said there were inaccuracies in the council's analysis and accused it of not putting forward a reasoned case. "Talk of blaming women and blaming children is scaremongering and unhelpful."
