RSF calls for No vote in citizen poll

Republican Sinn Féin is calling on the electorate to "reject the cynical tampering with the right of citizenship" and to vote No in the forthcoming citizenship referendum.

Speaking at a press briefing to promote the party's candidates in the local elections, its leader, Mr Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, said the effect of the proposed amendment would be to make citizenship something arbitrary.

"Once the basic right to citizenship has been removed from people born in Ireland, citizenship becomes a privilege which can be taken away rather than a fundamental right common to all Irish-born people," he said.

Also publicising the party's local election manifesto, Mr Ó Brádaigh was particularly critical of the growing gap between rich and poor.

"Of the 25 members of the EU we find the 26 counties have the second-highest average disposable income, higher than Germany, France, the so-called United Kingdom, the big hitters. That's an arresting statistic in that it's saying there is money out there, and yet the gap between rich and poor is growing dramatically."

The party, which so far is fielding five candidates in the local elections, in Limerick, Athy, Co Kildare, Galway and Longford, will seek the provision of piped water in all areas. It will also oppose the closure of local post offices, cutbacks in community employment schemes and what it describes as "EU imperialism".

"Our vision of a new type of society in Ireland clearly differs from the whole thrust of EU policy which subjects us to the collective interests of the major west European power centres," according to the party's economic and social programme, Saol Nua.

One candidate, Mr Des Dalton, standing for Athy Town Council, said there was an enormous amount of political apathy on the doorsteps. "This is a real barrier for those who want to effect change."

He said, however, there was also great idealism, especially among the young which should be harnessed and not allowed to fall into cynicism.

There were sometimes problems on the doorsteps with people thinking he was a Sinn Féin candidate. "We get blamed for not delivering on things the Provisionals have promised, but we put them right," he said.

Among those Mr Dalton, a former member of Ógra Fianna Fáil, is running against in Athy is his brother, Cllr Mark Dalton of Fianna Fáil.