The debate on the proposed citizenship referendum has been "divisive, simplistic and sometimes downright dishonest", a senior trade union official has said.
Mr Joe O'Flynn, general secretary of SIPTU, said the trade union movement had tried to play a leading and crucial role in counteracting some of the "disgraceful scaremongering" tactics about an alleged 'flood' of 'foreign' workers coming into Ireland. These were designed to instill fear and unease into the minds of Irish workers, he said.
"Immigration is a highly-charged and emotive issue. Therefore, if the Government wishes to propose a fundamental, constitutional change in respect of citizenship rights for immigrants, they should do so by means of maximum consensus and minimum division," he said.
"The Government has unfortunately done the opposite. Reneging on their own Programme For Government, they sought to make this a party political issue by studiously and consciously avoiding real consultation.
"No attempt was made to reach all-party agreement and the rancour, and dishonesty of much of the current debate is the inevitable result."
Mr O'Flynn said this was why the union's National Executive Council, called for a deferral of the proposed referendum.
"The union feels very strongly that the issue of immigration — raising as it does, such emotional responses in the electorate — is one which, more than most, demands a measured and calm debate. It should not be allowed to become a party political issue."
"SIPTU has consistently criticised Ireland's lack of a coherent immigration policy. Rushing to deal unilaterally with one aspect of this topic, namely citizenship rights, only adds to the incoherence of our national policy in this area."
Meanwhile, the Referendum Commission, which is responsible for explaining the subject matter of the referendum to the public and for promoting public awareness of the poll, held its first meeting on the June 11th ballot yesterday.
It had what were described as "preliminary discussions" in relation to the information campaign strategy. The commission is also in the process of producing a detailed information booklet on the referendum proposals, which will be distributed throughout the State.
The body has been given a budget of €4 million for the citizenship referendum. Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, a High Court judge, has been appointed to chair the Referendum Commission. The other members are the Clerk of the Dail, the Clerk of the Seanad, the Ombudsman and the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The commission has asked members of the public to note that the final date for entry in the supplementary register of electors is Monday May 24th. It urged people to check with their local authority to establish whether they are registered to vote.