Madam, - The Government Stationery Office has published an excellent bilingual booklet entitled "The National Flag", which is clear, informative and beautifully produced. It begins with these words:
"The Irish Tricolour is intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union of the people of different traditions on this island, which is now expressed in the Constitution as the entitlement of every person born in Ireland to be part of the Irish nation (regardless of ethnic origin, religion or political conviction)."
I trust that, in the coming referendum on citizenship, the people of the Republic of Ireland will not hurriedly abandon this fine sentiment. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID ORR,
Passage West,
Co Cork.
******
Madam, - I strongly object to the words and tone of opponents of the referendum who casually label anyone who disagrees with them as racists. There is an overwhelming sense that they believe they are the arbiters of all that is right and that people should just shut up and do what they tell them.
Well, I don't agree with them and I reject their attempt to label me and those like me as racist.
I believe that Irish citizenship should be open to people of any race or background if they have a family connection or if they actually live here. There is nothing unusual or extreme in this opinion; in fact it is the law in every country in Europe. - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY MALONEY,
Ennistymon,
Co Clare.
******
Madam, - Last week I returned from a short trip to Malawi, where I used to live. In the intervening 10 years I have spent in Ireland, the story of these two countries could not be more contrasting. In Malawi, life expectancy has dropped by almost 10 years. There is more poverty, more "Aids orphans" and, apparently, less international aid. In contrast, Ireland has surged ahead of even its wealthy European neighbours, propelled by considerable investments from the global pharmaceutical and ICT industries, among others.
Ireland's success is not unconnected to the "failures" of poorer countries, a contingency ensured by international trade agreements that discriminate against those countries least well positioned to take advantage of them. Ireland's ferociously defended but morally indefensible agricultural subsidies are but one example of how our gain, creates the lost opportunities of others.
A very minor and humane gesture from a country that once had "a thousand welcomes" to those from the then richer world would to vote No in the referendum on citizenship, and make some token recompense for our good fortunes. - Yours, etc.,
Prof MAC MacLACHLAN,
Dept of Psychology,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.
******
Madam, - A group of doctors have declared their opposition to the Government's proposal in the forthcoming referendum on citizenship. Unfortunately, in their letter to the Irish Medical Times (June 4th edition) and in subsequent interviews Dr Austin O'Carroll and associates display a spectacular ignorance of what is it at issue in the proposed constitutional change. Moreover, by dragging in several extraneous emotive issues, they impugn the motives of people who wish for a Yes vote on June 11th.
It is a simple fact that some women travel to Ireland in late pregnancy solely to get Irish passports for their children. It would be extraordinary, and contrary to any understanding of human nature, if no one was availing of the current loophole in Irish law. To claim, as these doctors do, that people are not exploiting this loophole is incorrect. The dreary ideology of political correctness has led them into this ostrich-like position.
On the other hand, a refreshingly honest African woman, interviewed on RTÉ's Morning Ireland a few weeks ago, readily admitted that she had come here to get an Irish passport for her child. Obstetricians, including my wife, and other staff in our maternity hospitals have no doubt about the existence of "passport tourism".
Some women, arriving in late pregnancy at Dublin's maternity hospitals, are coming from first-world countries such as England. They are not coming to Ireland seeking better maternity care, as Dr O'Carroll might maintain; they are not coming to escape persecution in London; they are not coming to escape rape in Birmingham. They are coming for an EU passport. To pretend that these mothers, travelling in late pregnancy, are not putting their unborn children and themselves at risk is medical nonsense.
It was heartening to read Paul Cullen's article (Opinion, June 3rd) on the referendum. As someone steeped in the politics of immigration, he understands that the system needs a clear set of rules. The proposed constitutional change will allow such rules to be formulated.
Mr Cullen is not a racist. He is not trying to stigmatise anybody. We should vote Yes on Friday. - Yours etc.,
Dr TODDY DALY,
Brooklawn Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
******
Madam, - The Catholic bishops' statement on the referendum (The Irish Times, June 5th) is expressed in such careful language that it does not adequately reflect the social teaching of the Church.
There is a wealth of excellent teaching on social justice to be found in documents from the encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891) of Leo XIII to the very fine social teaching from our present Pope, John Paul II.
From a biblical perspective, with Abraham as a role model (Gn 18: 1-8) the three monotheistic faiths have an example of the respect they are expected to show to the stranger. One of many injunctions to respect the stranger are: "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt".
Love of our neighbour is a core value of the Gospels. "People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs'." (Luke 18:15-16).
This is but a minute sample of what is expected of Christians when it comes to social justice and respect for the human person. In view of this I think the bishops' statement would have been well justified in calling for a No vote. Congratulations to the Methodist Church for its stance in this matter. - Yours, etc.,
CLARE DAWSON,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
*****
Madam, - There is a lot of confusion, concern and mixed messages surrounding the referendum - about 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 it will have if passed. Eminent legal and constitutional experts, including the Human Rights Commission, as well as many other groups have expressed their deep and serious reservations about the implications of this constitutional change.
A No vote 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 that will enable us to make the best, most just and fair decisions. - Yours, etc.,
Sr STANISLAUS KENNEDY,
Fr PETER McVERRY SJ,
Dublin 2.
*****
A chara, - Ireland has long had a distinctive approach to the issue of citizenship in that it offers citizenship both at birth to all children born in the State while, at the same time, making an Irish passport available to the grandchild of any Irish citizen, born anywhere in the world to parents of any combination of nationalities.
The referendum now upon us envisages changing one provision only by taking away the automatic right to citizenship of children of certain migrant parents while allowing the "granny rule" to survive untouched. Thus the provision from which Irish soccer teams have gratefully benefited over recent decades will survive while thousands of nationals of many countries with an Irish emigrant past will continue to be eligible for Irish passports. So much for integrity of citizenship.
The referendum proposal, if carried, would mean the loss of the future possibility of automatic citizenship to a small group of children including those of very recently arrived migrant mothers. It would, however, also mean that children born, for example, to a junior doctor couple, both of whom are migrants from outside the EU in their third year in the country and who intend to make a long-term career in Ireland, would not have automatic citizenship.
The issue of citizenship in the modern Ireland merits a comprehensive and carefully thought out review and the current situation is not without flaws. A Yes vote would neither significantly reduce the numbers of births in Irish maternity hospitals nor lead to a real drop in the numbers of immigrants coming to Ireland as either asylum-seekers or migrant workers. A No vote would allow a full debate on all aspects of citizenship to be opened up.I'll be voting NO. - Is mise,
PETER O'MAHONY,
CEO, Irish
Refugee Council,
Capel Street,
Dublin 1.
*****
Madam, - Prof Monica McWilliams is disingenuous to cite gender issues in support of her argument for a No vote. She claims the proposed amendment is "anti-woman" because it targets pregnant women. The proposal specifically addresses the citizenship rights of children born in Ireland. Pregnant women are affected only insofar as children are invariably their issue, though their own citizenship status may become relevant.
Pregnant women are not victims in this situation and it is dishonest to portray them as such. - Yours, etc.,
DON HEENAN,
Williamstown,
Rathvilly,
Co Carlow.
******
Madam, - "We will resist any attempts, from whatever source, which would dilute our sovereignty in relation to this issue, which is of such national importance." So said Charlie McCreevy on June 8th. This robust rush to the barricades to defend Ireland's right to be out of line with its European neighbours refers, of course, to a Franco-German proposal for a single corporate tax base across the EU.
Our valiant defender of Irish sovereignty declares that such policy "ought to be determined democratically by individual member states in the light of their individual policy priorities".
This same Minister is a member of a Government ostensibly concerned that our citizenship laws are out of step with other EU countries. One could be puzzled at the inconsistent application of principles. But then it appears that inequality is a core principle of this Government. - Yours, etc.,
Father TONY O'RIORDAN SJ,
Oxford,
England.
******
Madam, - We believe the referendum proposal is long on symbolism but short on facts. Given the significance of amending the Constitution, we are surprised at the lack of concrete information. We are being asked to amend the Constitution largely on the basis of anecdotal evidence and disputed accounts of discussions between senior hospital officials and the Minister for Justice. This lack of concrete information is sufficient reason in itself to vote No.
Every initiative surrounding the immigration system appears to highlight immigration as a problem, even though we are simultaneously reminded of its economic benefits. We favour a debate on citizenship that recognises the contribution that immigrants make to our society, and we would encourage the development of immigration policies that are sensible and just.
Our world is one in which people are increasingly encouraged to be "flexible" and adaptable, while states become rigid and exclusionary. This amendment exemplifies that trend and does nothing to advance a serious and informed debate on migration, immigration and citizenship. On that basis, we will be voting against it. - Yours, etc.,
Dr KIERAN ALLEN,
Dr ALICE FELDMAN,
Prof TOM INGLIS,
Dr STEVEN LOYAL,
Dr AOGÁN MULCAHY,
Dept of Sociology, UCD;
Dr COLIN COULTER,
Dept of Sociology,
Maynooth;
Dr BRYAN FANNING,
Dept of Social Policy
and Social Work, UCD;
Dr MARY GILMARTIN,
Dept of Geography, UCD;
Dept of Sociology, UCD;
Dr TIM MOONEY,
Dept of Philosophy, UCD;
Dr AILBHE SMYTH,
Women's Education Resource
and Research Centre, UCD;
Dr NESSA WINSTON,
Dept of Social Policy
and Social Work, UCD,
Belfield, Dublin 4.
As tomorrow is polling day for the referendum on citizenship, and for the local and European elections, there will be a one-day moratorium on letters about these topics