McDowell uses the old 'reverse psychology' trick speaking about the referendum in the Dail today.

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Wednesday April 21, 2004 15:05

by GreenMan

"people who are racist should vote against it"

After repeated interuptions from the opposition The debate surrounding the upcoming referendum started in the Dail today. In response to a barage of heckles McDowell referred to those involved as cry-babies, "your behaving like a baby' quibbed McDowell when he couldn't get the undivided attention of his playground.

This referendum is being turned on it's head by McDowell who accused those who are opposed to it as the racists. He repeated his belief that it is a situation of "citizenship tourism", the phrase he appears to be very proud of creating.
McDowell went on to give statistics that he believes proves the seriousness of "citizenship tourism", in 2002-2003 there were 163 births to non-nationals in the National maternity Hospital and 269 in the Rotunda, he believes these people have 'No tangible link to the nation or state".
So the approximate birth-rate of non-nationals in 2002-2003 is approx. 432 out of approx. 60,000 nationwide hardly a reason for a referendum.
Pat Rabitte pointed out that McDowells figures are disingenuous because of the inclusion of countries like France, Germany, Britain, America etc..in his statistics of non-national births.McDowell said it was the opposers to the referendum that have brought in the race issue into the debate! You spot the racist, no prizes given

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Comments (6 of 6)

432/60000

by stats?

Wed Apr 21, 2004 15:45

that stat of approx 432 births to non-nationals out of 60,000 sounds wrong

anyone got a more accurate figure?????

not a fan of the PDs

by Homer

Wed Apr 21, 2004 15:55

I don't like the PDs or McDowell but the sort of heckling you hear in the Dail IS childish and dumb sometimes.

McDowell's stats

by observer

Wed Apr 21, 2004 16:07

The 432 is not the number of non national births. It is the number of non-national births of those who were late booked or unbooked deliveris in the Dublin hospitals. In other wrods, this would persumably include those who allegedly come here, have their baby and then leave. It was this abuse that McDowell cited as his initial reason for the referendum.

Mc Dowell

by iosaf - subverted geo-psychology and a bit of Dr. Who or was it that master and rita?

Wed Apr 21, 2004 16:36

you blue shirt of blackrock and controller of Temple More, we do play reverse psychological games with you don't we?

Our constitution provides with Malta certain family provisions, and those provisions are needed most by our brothers and sisters of Africa who are as you as most of us descended from the Rasta Man.
Believe me Michael you don't want to see the Rasta Queen.

You will play your game, and do your law bit, and you will not stop Ireland providing sanctuary to our brothers and sisters.

And I do remember suggesting to you that you resign gracefully from office, go back into a hidden room somewhere near TempleMore perhaps taking the secret service budget with you. 'Coz you are neither progressive nor democratic. And you are the direct descendent of a fascist nazi colloborator, you it appears must deal with the sins of your forebears. Wouldn't that be best done in that hidden room and not in the chamber of our elected government?

How many times does the hint have to be made?

by John

Wed Apr 21, 2004 19:05

If McDowell is a racist, then so must Nelson Mandela be. When President of SA he brought in the South African Citizenship Act of 1995. It has clauses almost identical to McDowell's bill, but more restrictive. Under this Act SA citizenship is now only granted if one parent is a national or is permanent resident of SA. Under McDowell's proposal citizenship will only be granted if one parent is a national or is resident in Ireland for 3 years out of previous 4. McDowell's proposal is more liberal. Will the Left picket Nelson Mandela and chant 'racist' at him on his next visit to Dublin?

not sure about this one

by pc

Wed Apr 21, 2004 20:57

is there any clear/brief prose on it from any groups carr or something... what alternative suggestions have been made?

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McDowell uses the old 'reverse psychology' trick speaking about the referendum in the Dail today.

Comments (6 of 6)