Citizenship poll 'an election ploy by McDowell'

THE political row over the choice of June 11 for the citizenship referendum continued last night as the opposition accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of using the issue as a cynical election ploy.

Under the terms of the proposed constitutional change at least one parent of a child born in Ireland has to have been living here for three years before the child qualifies for citizenship.

The amendment, if passed, will not apply to anyone born before the date of enactment.