IRELAND, March 12 2004: The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities hit out at any change in Irish law to stop the right of babies born in the Republic to automatic citizenship regardless of their parentage would be “xenophobic.” It is as yet unclear what the impact of a change in law would have for babies born in Northern Ireland, who get automatic Irish citizenship under the Good Friday Agreement. The minorities council’s Patrick Yu said a planned constitutional referendum, to stop the influx of so-called “baby tourists” who arrive in Ireland purely to give birth, would send out the wrong message. “We would ask the Irish government to use a more positive way to control immigration.” A change in the law in the Republic could be imminent if the constitutional referendum is passed later this year.
India’s rule (HPI was curious) is “Those born in India on or after 26th January 1950 but before 1st July 1987 are citizens of India by birth irrespective of the nationality of their parents. Those born in India on or after 1st July 1987, are considered citizens of India only if either of their parents is a citizen of India at the time of their birth.” Click here for more.
A representative from the Belfast Indian Community Centre was in Antrim in Ireland to talk to students as part of an ethnic awareness day. Sharada Bhat told students about the Hindu religion and family values and answered questions on arranged marriages. Police and the Antrim Community Safety Partnership organized the event in the hope of breaking down some of the barriers between cultures.
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