Madam, - Apropos of Mary Raftery's criticism of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice (April 1st) over their proposal to amend the Constitution in order to put a stop to "citizenship shopping", surely the most pertinent question is: "Why has it taken the Government so long to correct the initial mistake?" Was this unjustified delay merely due to a fear of criticism by the so-called "liberals", such as Mary Raftery?
The opening up of Irish citizenship, as part of the Good Friday Agreement, was neither wise nor necessary and has, indeed, acted as a significant "pull factor", in encouraging foreign women to burden Irish public services and especially the health service, when seeking Irish citizenship for their babies.
Now that Bertie Ahern has finally admitted the error when negotiating the Good Friday Agreement, (The Irish Times, Dáil report, March 31st), what I want to know is the final cost to the Irish taxpayer of this error, and what censures are proposed for the people responsible.
I believe that the electorate is sovereign, and should be consulted on every important social and political issue, as on the current issue of citizenship.
In my view, the proposed constitutional amendment should be put to the people immediately. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM Ó GÉIBHEANNAIGH, Átha an Ghainimh, Co Átha Cliath.