Ahern: Referendum does not breach law

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has told the Dáil that the Government’s planned citizenship referendum does not breach any national or international laws.

The Human Rights Commission has said it believes the proposed constitutional amendment may breach two international treaties.

However, when the issue was raised in the Dáil today by Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte, Mr Ahern said: “I have discussed the matter with the Attorney General and he assures me that the Government and all our legal advice is totally satisfied that we’re not in breach of any laws or the British-Irish Agreement and that is the legal position.”