Sir, – I am writing as a general practitioner and an Irish citizen in response to the new proposals on citizenship (“New rules for Irish citizenship: How will they work?”, News, September 7th).

The issues raised are close to home. My husband is also a general practitioner serving our community and is experiencing a lengthy wait for a decision on his citizenship application despite meeting the residence requirements set out by the Department of Justice.

I am concerned about the proposed requirements, which may come into effect as early as Christmas. From what I understand, these changes could have a substantial impact on healthcare workers who were recruited from overseas to work within the HSE.

People such as my husband, as well as many overseas-born friends and colleagues, have dedicated years of their lives to caring for patients in Ireland and building their futures here. They play a huge role in supporting an already understaffed and overstretched health service.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many of these same healthcare workers put their own health and lives at risk to care for patients in Ireland. They worked through extraordinary uncertainty and pressure, often while separated from their own families and support networks. Some healthcare workers tragically lost their lives during the pandemic. Their contribution and sacrifice should not be forgotten now, particularly when decisions are being made about their right to build a secure future in the country they served at a time of national crisis.

Many came to Ireland in good faith, worked continuously, paid taxes, established homes and families, and fulfilled the residence requirements expected of them. It would be deeply concerning if the goalposts were now moved while they are waiting for their applications to be processed, particularly when delays within the citizenship system are outside an applicant’s control.

Introducing more restrictive criteria risks sending a damaging message to the people Ireland urgently needs to retain. Ireland is competing internationally for doctors, nurses and other skilled healthcare professionals. Countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are also actively seeking these workers. If Ireland’s citizenship and immigration system becomes perceived as unnecessarily uncertain, slow or unfair, we should not be surprised if highly skilled professionals begin to consider building their lives elsewhere.

At a time when our health service is already under enormous pressure, Ireland should be doing everything possible to retain the healthcare professionals who have chosen to make this country their home. We should recognise their contribution, provide certainty to those who have fulfilled the existing requirements, and ensure that any changes to citizenship policy are fair, proportionate and do not retrospectively disadvantage people who have already invested years of their lives in Ireland. – Yours, etc,

Dr AVRIEL McDONNELL,

Athenry,

Co Galway.

Sir, – The proposal to increase the period of residence required for Irish citizenship from five to eight years raises a fundamental question of fairness: should people who are already legally resident in Ireland be subjected to a new rule that did not exist when they made the decision to build their lives here?

Applying such a change to people who are already resident in the State is retroactive legislation and may be subject to being annulled by judicial review.

For Ukrainians in particular, this issue deserves special consideration. Many have now spent several years establishing new lives here and it is grossly unfair to extend their residency period to achieve Irish citizenship from five to eight years. – Yours, etc,

IAN McCABE,

Dartry,

Dublin 6.