FG backs Government on citizenship referendum

FINE GAEL last night backed the Government’s citizenship referendum on June 11.

Although Fine Gael will not be campaigning actively for the referendum, as it says it is a sensitive issue that should not be politicised in any way, the party’s backing is a significant boost for the Government’s prospects of getting the proposal passed.

After spending the past two months opposing the holding of the referendum on the same day as the local and European elections, Enda Kenny last night called for supporters of his party to vote ‘Yes’ in the poll.

The party obtained independent legal advice on the issues raised by the proposed referendum and Fine Gael are satisfied that Article 2 of the Constitution, inserted following the Good Friday Agreement, creates the potential for abuse of Irish citizenship.

But Mr Kenny said Justice Minister Michael McDowell must take responsibility for the adversarial and divisive debate on the citizenship issue.

“On balance, we have decided that we can support a yes vote, with some reservations. These reservations relate to the way in which the referendum has been handled by the Government and specifically by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell,” he said.

Mr Kenny said the Minister deliberately set out on a course of action which was designed to create friction in the Oireachtas and to generate division between parties.”