Citizenship rights referendum to be held with elections in June

THE Government yesterday discarded the concerns of a wide range of human rights, racism and refugee groups and announced it would hold the constitutional referendum on citizenship rights together with local and European elections.

Announcing the June 11 date in the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern denied the decision would make for a divisive debate on the matter.

"I do not believe that an extremely reasonable proposal is transformed into a racist proposal purely by holding it on the same day as an election," he said.

However, the level of concern over a referendum together with local elections was evident yesterday afternoon as members of the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) an umbrella group composed of political figures, human rights groups and refugee organisations held a protest outside the Dublin headquarters of the Progressive Democrats. CARR spokesman Mark Grehan said holding the referendum in June would not give enough time for an adequate debate.

"The PDs and Fianna Fáil signed a pledge on International Day Against Racism promising not to play the race card during the elections. The proposed referendum makes a mockery of this pledge," he said. To facilitate the debate on enabling legislation, due to be published today, the Dáil will be recalled a week early after its Easter break. Opposition parties are to be consulted today once the legislation and the wording of the constitutional amendment is finalised.

However, the Green Party immediately accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of cynical electioneering, while Fine Gael's new justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe said the Government had done little to gain the support of the opposition.

Meanwhile, the Immigrant Council of Ireland yesterday told the Oireachtas Social and Family Affairs Committee the Government had utterly failed to implement a co-ordinated and coherent immigration policy.

Council founder Sister Stan said recent developments, including June's referendum, demonstrated the Government's complete lack of a long-term strategic approach to immigration.

"Immigration is a permanent reality. It's not a temporary thing. It's here and it's here to stay."