The British and Irish governments have released a joint statement asserting that the proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship rights in Ireland does not breach the Good Friday Agreement.
In the statement, the governments say that it was not their intention, when making the agreement, that it should impose on either government any obligation to confer nationality or citizenship on persons born in any part of the island of Ireland whose parents do not have sufficient connection with the island.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, had earlier rejected concerns expressed by the SDLP about the referendum.
The SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, yesterday called on the Government to postpone the referendum, saying it could damage the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Ahern said the referendum, to be held on the 11 June, would not cause any difficulty with the agreement. He also said he would reply in full to the concerns of the SDLP.
He added that the agreement was never intended to be a mechanism for abusing Irish citizenship law.
Mr McDowell said the referendum would not be delayed and that it was wholly consistent with the agreement.
