A chara, - Dr L. F. Lacey (May 19th) describes the forthcoming referendum as a "measure to sort out an unintended loophole". Mary Hanafin TD went on in similar vein on national radio the other morning. Other letter writers and commentators have also talked of "a loophole".
This is nonsense. The law since the foundation of the State allowed citizenship to all born here. This became part of the Constitution following the Good Friday agreement and was endorsed by referendum. It is clear. If you are born here, you can be a citizen here.
An example of a loophole is a provision allowing you to be resident in another country for tax purposes yet visit Ireland for 180 days a year, a day being defined as being here at midnight. So if you jet in and out for a day at the races you haven't been here at all. Most people would consider this to be a loophole.
Allowing citizenship by place of birth is a philosophy - and we are now being rushed into a referendum proposing a fundamental change in our philosophy of citizenship. In comparison with previous referendums on a variety of issues, there has been no meaningful debate.
A reasonable conclusion is that this is an ill-considered wheeze to distract the electorate from what is at best a lacklustre and floundering Government that has failed to tackle any issue of substance, such as housing, education, health and infrastructure.
You think not? Imagine yourself as Minister for Justice. Make a list of all the things you could do to make this country a better place. Would a referendum on citizenship be No 1, or No 10, or even No 101? Prior to this chicanery, would it even be on the list? - Is mise,
BERNARD CARROLL, Ascail Crossaire, Dun Laoghaire. Co Átha Cliath.
Madam, - I was disturbed by the comments by Prof William Binchy at the launch of Lawyers Against the Amendment. References to how future legislation on citizenship at some unknown point could exclude members of unpopular nationalities, religions or ethnic background from becoming Irish citizens can only be interpreted as scaremongering.
Such outrageous claims are extremely cynical and represent a low point in the debate.
The referendum is about a very important issue, the integrity of Irish citizenship at home and abroad - an issue that I would like to hear addressed in a mature and rational debate. - Yours, etc.,
PAULA POWER, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.