National Women’s Council of Ireland reacts to the outcome of the Citizenship Referendum

Published: Monday, June 14, 2004

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) has expressed grave disappointment at the outcome of the Referendum on Citizenship.

Speaking today, Dr Joanna McMinn, Director, NWCI, said that the outcome was a ''very ungenerous response, at a time when we could be more generous''. It is also clear evidence of the lack of political leadership with regard to racism and transparent and inclusive immigration policies. ''There is now an urgent need'', she continued '' for an appropriate discourse and consultation process. This process must include migrant groups, especially migrant women, as well as civil society as a whole.''

The NWCI is calling for a forward looking immigration policy, that is fair, transparent and coherent, and that takes into consideration the rights and needs of minority ethnic women (including their maternity care needs) and their children. ''The voices of migrant women need to be heard, in order to establish such an immigration policy'' stated Dr McMinn.

Dr McMinn expressed concern at the level of racism being experienced by minority ethnic women on the streets of Ireland and called for the Government to introduce anti-racist legislation to counteract the damage of the Referendum on minority ethnic groups, and to increase resources directed towards anti-racist initiatives, community development and support agencies working with migrants and refugees.

Citing the RTE Exit Poll, which showed that a significant proportion of those voting 'Yes' were motivated by hostility to immigrants she said; ''there can be no doubt that such hostility was a factor in the decision for certain people to vote 'Yes'. It is now time for the Government to urgently outline a fair immigration policy, and to encourage the development of an equal society in Ireland, and to give serious consideration to measures that will eradicate racism in this country.''

Dr McMinn closed her comments by appealing to Minister McDowell to act now to regularise the situation for the 11,000 families with Irish born children, who lawfully applied for residency prior to the January 2003 Supreme Court Decision.