'Voter issue study led to referendum call'

A FEROCIOUS political row broke out last night after the Government was accused of calling the referendum on citizenship after its private research identified immigration as the main voter issue.

The allegation was made by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte in the Dáil when he claimed that US consultants brought in by Fianna Fáil had put immigration ahead of health by 17 points as the main electoral issue.

However, his contention was angrily dismissed last night as "absolute lies".