Taoiseach: Referendum is chance to address citizenship issue

The Taoiseach has said that next Friday's referendum is an opportunity for the Irish electorate to address the citizenship issue once and for all.

Mr Ahern said the Government is satisfied that significant numbers of non-nationals are deliberately coming to use Ireland as a passageway into the European Union.

The Taoiseach claimed that he spoke to a couple from Moldova last week who confirmed to him that they only came to Ireland to gain access to the UK.

They told him that it was extensively known in their country that they could come to Ireland, have their child and then travel onwards to their desired location, he said.