Rabbitte vows to lead fight against referendum

THE prospects of a bitter referendum on citizenship intensified yesterday when Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte indicated his party would oppose the controversial proposal in its substance as well as its timing.

Mr Rabbitte cited the impact of the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and strong reservations expressed by senior political and human rights bodies as reasons behind the hardening of his opposition to proposals to restrict the rights of citizenship for children born to non-national mothers.

But in an immediate response last night, Education Minister Noel Dempsey rejected Labour's criticisms and insisted the referendum would not be delayed or postponed. He also maintained that it would have no effect on the Agreement.