Madam, - The main reason why I will vote No in the forthcoming referendum is the failure of the Government to provide any coherent statistics to back up its claim of the existence of "citizenship tourism".
I propose that the Government publish statistics in advance of the poll showing the number of babies born in Irish hospitals to mothers who are not tax resident in the State at any time in the two years before or after the birth.
While this is by no means a perfect formula, it would highlight the number of births in Irish hospitals to mothers with no real connection to the State. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN MEEHAN,
King's Inns,
Dublin.
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Madam, - Like many Irish people in the 1960s and 1970s we were economic migrants for 10 years, as teachers in the employ of an African government. Our two sons were born entirely at that government's expense. Although we did not qualify ourselves, until the age of 21 our sons had the option of becoming citizens of that country.
Seems sensible to us. - Yours, etc.,
HEATHER SMITH,
Donard,
Co Wicklow.
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Madam, - I have followed with interest the correspondence on this subject, and have been impressed by the sincerity and cogency of the arguments presented by both sides. I fear, however, that writers may be missing the point.
This not about closing a loophole, or about inadequacies in the asylum system, and it's certainly not about expressing the better part of ourselves: it is a crass attempt to harvest the redneck vote in the elections being held on the same day.
Viewed in that light, the whole shabby exercise makes sense. So, come out and vote it down, and let's show them that we'll not allow constitutional amendments to become, like politics, the last refuge of scoundrels. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN O'BRIEN,
Barnhill Avenue,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - Far more children are born to parents of illegal immigrants in Canada than in Ireland. Yet no Canadian political party has ever seriously considered depriving any child born in Canada of his or her birthright. The number of cases of abuse does not justify such draconian measures.
Non-national parents of Canadian children are not automatically entitled to remain in Canada. Unless conditions are oppressive in their home country, they may be sent back with their Canadian-born child. The child, however, will remain a Canadian citizen with the right of return.
As an Irish citizen living abroad I am unable to vote. I urge those who can to vote No. Taking away the citizenship rights of innocent children is the real threat to our Irish values and way of life. - Yours, etc.,
MARTIN PADGETT,
Charles Street East,
Toronto,
Canada.