ADRIAN O'BRIEN,
Madam, - Ms Justice Denham justifies her ruling in the Osayande and Lobe cases by proposing that the constitutional protections regarding the sanctity of the family unit do not necessitate that family remaining within the jurisdiction. That no element of the Irish Constitution is enforceable outside the jurisdiction appears to have escaped her attention.
The result of this ruling is to send many families to countries where citizens' rights, where they exist, would almost certainly not meet the minimum expectations of an Irish citizen growing up in Ireland.
Messrs Justice Keane and Hardiman recognise that it is the responsibility of the parents to choose where their children should be reared, as children cannot make such decisions for themselves. The parents in these cases have made that choice in coming to Ireland and seeking residency for their families. It is the Supreme Court which has now determined de facto that the parents, and thus their children, should live elsewhere.
The Supreme Court's ruling seems to suggest that, as a child, an Irish citizen has not yet grown to know the social, educational and economic benefits of being brought up in Ireland and thus will not miss what it has never experienced.
I am reminded of the justification used centuries ago by those who kept and traded African slaves in Europe and America. It was argued at the time that, as these "savages" could have no reasoned comprehension of the notions of liberty or equality, depriving them of rights of which they had no knowledge was perfectly justified. It is as appalling a contention now as it was then.
At least we can all rest assured that this judgment is for the common good; but only if you are Irish-born of Irish parents. - Yours, etc.,
ADRIAN O'BRIEN,
Galloping Green,
Stillorgan Road,
Co Dublin.
A chara, - Probably the only element of democratic Republican ideology which found its way into law in this State was the inclusive concept of citizenship.
John O'Mahony, founder of the Fenian Movement, made clear the Republican position on this issue: "Every individual born on Irish soil constitutes, according to Fenian doctrine, a unit of that nation, without reference to race or religious belief, and as such he (she) is entitled to a heritage in the Irish soil. . . From this heritage none shall be excluded".
The majority of the Supreme Court judges think differently. They have, by their ruling on the |Osayande/Lobe case, permitted the State to salve its conscience by not withdrawing the offer of Irish citizenship to the children of non-nationals born in Ireland, but they have effectively prevented these citizens from exercising (at least for their most formative years) the most basic right of all citizens - to live in their own country.
Another shameful day. - Is mise,
BRIAN RIDDICK,
Baile Atha Cliath 4.
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Madam, - I must concur with Fintan O'Toole's excellent article in Weekend Review about the Supreme Court ruling and the very strange contradictions concerning Irish citizenship. Mr McDowell has been quoted as saying every application will receive a fair and humane decision before a deportation order will be signed. How about an amnesty for those who were residing here prior to the Supreme Court decision?
In the case of David Lobe and his family and Irish son Kevin it would seem heartless to deport them, as later in the year the Czech Republic will be a member of the EU and citizens will be entitled to free movement. - Yours, etc.,
WILLIE DEVINE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.