McDowell attacks anti-citizenship referendum voters

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday took a swipe at those who opposed June’s citizenship referendum accusing them of dishonestly peddling gross untruths.

Speaking as the legislation to implement the referendum’s decision - the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill - was laid before the Dáil, Minister McDowell said the tone of the No campaign had been offensive and shallow.

“I think that I could be forgiven for noting, at this stage, the virulent and offensive tone adopted by many of the more vocal opponents of the proposal - a tone which looks so empty, so shallow and so strident in the cold light of day at this remove,” he said.

Mr McDowell also lashed out at opponents who had branded the referendum as racist.

“Gross untruths were peddled to the public, ironically, by those who claimed that the Government were manufacturing reasons and facts to support their case.

“Nobody on the Government side ever exaggerated or made false claims in the course of the debate.

“Nobody on the Government side levelled personal or offensive accusations against their opponents.”

Promising new legislation to cover all aspects of immigration and migration into Ireland, Minister McDowell said work was already underway on a comprehensive new bill.

But Labour justice spokesman Joe Costello told the Dáil the new bill had been promised before.

He said the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform published a strategy statement for the years 2001-2004, which set itself the specific objective of further developing an immigration policy for the State.

“To date, in the latter days of 2004, we have seen no framework, no legislation and no policy development,” he said.