Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said new rules for people seeking Irish citizenship – which will involve the undertaking of a language test – will help bring Ireland in line with other European countries.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is to bring forward plans to Cabinet this week for an overhaul of Ireland’s naturalisation system.
This will include a stipulation that people seeking Irish citizenship would have to be resident in the country for eight years, an increase on the current five.
Aspirant citizens will also have to undertake a language test and prove that they are economically self-sufficient.
Speaking at Fianna Fáil’s think-in in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Mr Martin confirmed the Government is to discuss the proposals as it tries to strike “a balance” on granting Irish citizenship.
“On the citizenship proposals, this is bringing us more in line with other European Union member states…in terms of first of all ensuring that the residency would go from five to eight years, also in terms of language, English language and some very basic Irish language familiarisation would be aspects of that, and an understanding of Ireland, obviously, and the values in our country, and also ensuring that with citizenship comes the capacity to contribute to society,” Mr Martin said.
The Fianna Fáil leader added that there needs to be a “balance between independence, self-reliance, as opposed to total dependency”, adding how the Cabinet will discuss the proposals “and take them forward”.
Mr Martin said the Coalition has made a “significant change” on migration with the implementation of the EU migration pact
“I think this Government has made a significant and decisive change. We have a firmer and more robust migration system now, and numbers of those seeking asylum is reducing, and has reduced over the last 12 months. And also, in terms of returns, all of that is happening more efficiently and effectively,” he added.
“The European Union Asylum Pact is working, and we’ve been well prepared, and the Minister for Justice is well prepared in terms of having the capacity to implement the pact. And the costs of accommodation in respect of asylum also are also coming down very significantly,” he added.