Referendum fuelling racism, warn doctors
The proposed changes to the constitution in the citizenship referendum will fuel the fires of racism, a group of doctors warned today.
The doctors claimed it was morally disgraceful that the Government had failed to use the State’s booming economy over the last decade to improve public services.
They also accused the Government of attempting to deflect anger away from the real issues of the lack of funding in the health sector.
Dr Juliet Bressan said: “The Government has now clearly tried to scapegoat women and their children for the failures of the Celtic Tiger to address poverty, housing and health care in Ireland.”
Doctors presented a letter, due to be published in the medical news later this week, urging health care workers to support patients and calling for a 'no' vote in the referendum.
On June 11 voters will decide on whether to change the constitution to prevent people from claiming Irish citizenship solely on the basis of giving birth to a child in Ireland.
The letter was signed by 30 doctors, including GPs and consultants from around the country, Mayo TD Dr Jerry Cowley and Senator Mary Henry.
Senator Henry called for a thorough review of immigration and refugee policies.
She said: “There are so many problems in this area that to start with this one is quite incredible.
“I hope very much that this referendum will not be carried because this is just another small effort at decreasing the democracy of this country.”
She added that while Justice Minister Michael McDowell was not racist, the referendum was fanning the flames of racism around the country.
Dr Austin O’Carroll, a GP from north inner city Dublin who cares for several hundred non-national patients said the Government was scaremongering.
He said: “This unnecessary referendum has lead to the stigmatisation of our patients.
“The Government campaign has been inhumane in its affect and there has been a total lack of empathy with the people who will be affected by this measure,” he said.
Dr O’Carroll added: “The arguments so far will only lead to increased suffering by our patients, a most human and warm group of people.”
