Republic of Ireland to be treated as Commonwealth citizens.

Government overcame Opposition protests to push through the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 1995.

The bill also lets spouses of United States Customs pre-clearance officers gain employment without work permits.

Spouses of US Consulate General staff are entitled to similar rights.

Government Senate Leader the Hon. Gerald Simons said the bill was designed to correct an oversight in the 1984 immigration legislation which excluded a clause relating to Irish citizens.

Up to that stage, people from the Republic of Ireland had been treated as Commonwealth citizens.

"This Act attempts to remedy this situation.'' Sen. Simons said the Immigration Department had searched its records and found only nine people affected by the amendment.

Of these, one was now dead, and another was not interested in any change. This left just seven people affected.

Sen. Simons said it was important to protect these people's rights and privileges as Bermudians.

Turning to the other aspect of the amendment, Sen. Simons said previously spouses of American employees had found employment on the United States Naval Air Station.

But with the Base closure, there was now limited scope for such employment.

Government strongly supported the work of US Customs pre-clearance staff, and did not wish to jeopardise this.

Bermudians benefited from the pre-clearance service -- without it there was a danger of people flying to the States, only to be turned back to the Island.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Milton Scott said the PLP was vehemently against the legislation.

The amendment would allow these seven citizens to vote in the upcoming referendum.

"We are concerned if it's seven, 700, or 7,000.'' Sen. Scott said the Republic of Ireland was an independent country with no links to the Commonwealth.

"For us, a little dot in the Atlantic, to give status to the Republic of Ireland and treat their citizens and Commonwealth citizens is something we should not be getting into.'' Sen. Scott said he appreciate the work of the Customs pre-clearance officials.

Bermudians liked to travel, and benefited from this service.

But, said Sen. Scott, it was important that Bermudians get priority with employment in Bermuda.

He also highlighted the need for reciprocal work permit exemptions for Bermudians abroad, once the Island goes independent.

Sen. Larry Scott (UBP) said the Opposition Senate Leader's speech smacked of xenophobia.

And he challenged the PLP to tell the Country exactly where it stood on immigration.

In today's hi-tech world, where people travelled extensively, there was a lot of cross-fertilisation of cultures.

And yet the PLP seemed to be mired in the past, wearing "heavy concrete boots''.

Sen. Scott wondered whether the Opposition would take the same stance if the legislation related to people of African descent, rather than Irish citizens.

Independent senators sided with Government to overcome PLP objections and pass the legislation by seven votes to three.