British back government defence of referendum

THE Government last night made its strongest justification to date of the referendum on citizenship with a robust three-pronged defence which included the full backing of the British Government.

In an unprecedented move, the Irish and British governments issued a ‘Joint Interpretative Declaration’ declaring that the proposed change to the Constitution is not a breach of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).

The legal interpretation stated that it was never the intention of the two governments in endorsing the Agreement that it would extend citizenship rights to children whose parents did not have “sufficient connection with the island of Ireland.”

Tánaiste Mary Harney also gave her strongest backing to date rejecting out of hand accusations that the debate could not be free of racism. In a detailed statement, she also stood over the poll’s timing, which she said increased the likelihood of a higher and more broadly-based voter turnout.

In an implied reference to the Nice referendum, she said that holding it on a standalone date would have resulted in a greater turnout of those with the most polarised views rather than those with moderate views.

The third strand of the defence came from Justice Minister Michael McDowell, who has championed the proposed change to restrict citizenship rights.

He issued a detailed statement welcoming the joint declaration, saying it gave clarity to the forthcoming referendum.

In a sideswipe at the Labour Party, he called on those who expressed fears about the need to avoid socially divisive language to “heed their own counsel” in the way they criticised the Government’s motives.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mr McDowell both rejected the criticisms of the SDLP and Mr McDowell insisted the referendum will go ahead on June 11.

The statements from the two most senior PD figures came after a dramatic intervention from their party colleague Liz O’Donnell yesterday. She disclosed “misgivings” over the timing of the election.

“Many deputies across all the parties will have issues, not particularly with the substance of the proposition, but whether or not it is a good idea to mix it with an election,” she said.

The scope of the Government’s justifications was being interpreted last night as an effort to shore up public support and respond to fierce opposition criticism ahead of a two-day Dáil debate, beginning tomorrow.

Another purpose of last night’s declaration was to allay fears expressed by the SDLP that a change in the Constitution may have a negative impact for the GFA and its implementation.

The SDLP renewed criticism yesterday that Northern parties had not been consulted or informed about the changes although the Government had ample opportunity since February, when weekly meetings began in the context of the review of the GFA.

A senior SDLP source said that the party had been informed for the first time on April 8, the day on which the amendment wording was published. By that time, it was a done deal with no opportunity for consultation, said the source.