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 the 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.
Aspiring 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,” the Taoiseach said.
“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.”
Watch: Citizenship proposals will bring Ireland in line with other EU states – Taoiseach
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 are also coming down very significantly.”
Biggest citizenship reform for ‘a generation’ – O’Callaghan
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said the new citizenship application rules were “the biggest reform of Ireland’s citizenship rules in a generation”.
Along with the skill to demonstrate ability in both Irish and English, applicants will also be required to have a knowledge of Irish civics.
A key provision of applying for citizenship will be proving self-sufficiency, so as not to be “a burden on the State”, the minister said.
This would include a requirement not to be in receipt of particular social protection payments for a defined period leading up to the date of application.
Mr O’Callaghan said further amendments will introduce a distinct ground for the minister to revoke citizenship on public order and national security grounds and to provide a streamlined process to fast track the system of revocations.
The new law will also clearly state that if an applicant contravenes immigration law, they could be barred from receiving citizenship.
The minister said this is to discourage the abuse of the immigration and naturalisation process.
Non-Irish spouses or partners will also have to be residing in the State longer before being able to apply for citizenship.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be brought before the Cabinet on Wednesday.
The Labour Party’s justice spokesperson Alan Kelly called on the Minister for Justice to drop the proposed increase the residency requirement from five to eight years.
He said: “Minister O’Callaghan needs to explain what problem an eight-year residency requirement is actually designed to solve. Increasing the wait for citizenship from five years to eight years looks far more like an exercise in political positioning than a serious attempt to improve our immigration system.”
Deouty Kelly said that “people who have lived here for years, who work here, pay taxes here, raise their families here and contribute to their communities should have a clear and reasonable pathway to becoming Irish citizens”.
“Citizenship is an important part of successful integration. This could have a real negative impact on our ability as a nation to attract workers in critical areas,” he said.
‘Harsh’ and ‘unnesessary’
The CEO of the immigration support group, Doras said that the new proposals “serve no useful purpose”.
John Lannon told RTÉ’s News at One that it is already very difficult to get Irish citizenship, describing the proposals as “quite harsh” and “unnecessary”.
Mr Lannon said that Doras has seen people wait years for their application for citizenship to be accepted, or for it to get rejected due to time spent outside the country.
“It appears to be punishing people who have contributed quite a lot in most cases to Irish society and the economy.
“The eight years is harsh and unnecessary, but what’s particularly harsh as well, is that people cannot be it appears in receipt of certain social welfare payments before they receive citizenship.”
On the language requirement aspect of the proposals – which would involve undertaking a language test – he said that if the Government expects this, adequate access to language classes must be provided.
He said most immigrants want to learn English but just do not have the opportunity to do so, adding that language is key to integration.
“More investment in orientation programmes in general is needed because without that these people can’t integrate into our communities.
He said that without citizenship, immigrants must continue to apply for their stamp or immigration permission, which costs €300 each time.
“It means they are unsure of their status here and could be refused their immigration permission at any time.”
Listen: RTÉ News at One reports on the Government’s proposed new Irish citizenship rules
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