The Dáil is to debate a bill this week that aims to restore citizenship rights to those born in Ireland.

Solidarity TDs today launched the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill which is due to be debated on Thursday.

A referendum on citizenship in 2004 meant that children born in Ireland to non-national parents would no longer have a right to citizenship.

"All children should have equal access to citizenship rights regardless of their background. The removal of birthright citizenship in the law from 2005 was aimed at some of the vulnerable children in the country living in direct provision," Solidarity TD Paul Murphy told reporters at today's press conference.

Mr Murphy raised the case of nine year old boy from Bray who was recently the subject of a deportation order to China. A campaign was organised to allow the fourth class pupil Eric Zhi Ying Xue stay in Ireland.

Also attending today's conference was Silibaziso Tina Ndlovu who has being living in direct provision in Ireland for three years and whose children could be at risk of deportation.

"I am first and foremost concerned about kids who face deportation. They are Irish in reality, they are even learning Irish in school, they have adjusted to Irish culture. However, they are being denied citizenshp," she said.

In November last year, the Seanad voted in favour of a Labour Party Bill to give citizenship rights to children of non-national parents if they are born in Ireland and have lived in the State for more than three years.