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have not yet seen the bones of this legislation but we are hearing what is coming down the line in respect of citizenship criteria. I am generally supportive of it. I think we need to have bookended policy that defines what citizenship is. That is quite standard … some honouring of that. They have already bought into the system and applied. They are in a long queue to have their citizenship and naturalisation determined. Some accommodation needs to be made for that. It has been said there will have to be a proficiency in speaking

shall be the Motion re Public Transport and Fare Increases, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Migration and Citizenship (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Industrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2026 (Report and Final Stages) (to commence no earlier … shall, in any event, be taken on the conclusion of Government Business; and (b) in the event the Statements on Migration and Citizenship conclude before 4.37 p.m., the siting shall stand suspended until 4.37 p.m. when the order of business shall resume with the Industrial Development (Amendment

contribution to the State for their accommodation costs. Other member states operate those systems already. There are two rules for applying for citizenship. The Minister is proposing to update the rules around how people qualify for citizenship. At present someone wanting to apply for citizenship by naturalisation must

Russia has had only limited opportunity for updates on his well-being. Dmitry's wife believes his detention is due to her Ukrainian citizenship and the fact she made commentary on social media criticising the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On his arrival in Russia, Dmitry's phone … criminal code of the Russian Federation, which is that he has failed to file a timely notification about acquiring foreign citizenship or a residence permit. That essentially reads to me like he is being tried with gaining Irish citizenship and not informing the Russian Federation of that

Last week, I was delighted to attend the citizenship ceremonies, along with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins. We welcomed more than 7,500 new Irish citizens. My Department is committed to providing the best possible service to the customers … citizenship division. We have taken significant steps to speed up the process for applicants. The steps have included the introduction of an online digital application and e-vetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing the times. The median processing time

will need to be addressed include whether the right should be restricted to those born on the island of Ireland, all those with citizenship or those with a passport. We would support citizenship as a condition for eligibility. There is, however, a real risk a referendum could … Dáil elections but EU citizens who have been living here for decades are barred from doing so unless they take up citizenship. While most EU countries allow their citizens living abroad to vote in their elections, there is a strong case for seeking agreement on a European level

generation and the next generation of our diaspora and we are continuing to see a growing interest in people exploring their Irish citizenship. Demand for foreign-birth registrations, or citizenship by descent, has increased exponentially over the past number of years. Prior to the Brexit referendum, those foreign … will continue to be differences in constitutional preference and identity. The question today is not just about identity but also about citizenship. It is about ensuring the rights of everyone on this island are respected. That is paramount to maximising the benefits of the Good Friday Agreement

essential skills gaps, and they make a significant contribution to our society. Many people who have come here have gone on to gain citizenship. It will be a great honour for me tomorrow to participate in my first citizenship ceremony, at which we will celebrate the granting … citizenship to citizens. I also encourage people in the House to involve themselves in those events. We need to recognise that while immigration has been a great success story in this country, we have to take into account that the number of people coming here to seek international

time to time at the laws and regulations that govern the society in which we live. We have not made changes to our citizenship process in this type of area for decades upon decades. There is an absolute right for Irish people, through their elected representatives, to look … knowledge of its civic society and how it works, and to be resident in the country for a significant period before they get citizenship. I do not see what is so ridiculous, unfair or wrong about those simple requirements

welcome these statements and thank the Minister of State for his work to date. Irish citizenship is one of the most important things this State can confer. It is a legal status, a bond with the country and a commitment to its future. I welcome the general scheme … Irish nationality and citizenship (amendment) Bill. Eight years' residence instead of five, language and civics tests and, importantly, a requirement to be self-sufficient are not unusual. Austria, Italy, Spain and Slovenia require ten years, and most member states test language and civic knowledge. That matters because

entire community sad and in shock at a very difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse. Migration and citizenship are issues that we all need to be able to have an open, mature and honest conversation about, and not name calling across the Chamber … must strive to never let speculation replace facts. We cannot allow myths, misinformation or disinformation to become a substitute for the facts. Irish citizenship is of enormous value. For generations, Irish people have travelled to countries all across the globe. We know what migration means for both sides

What the Minister is proposing in relation to these citizenship changes is nothing more than performative cruelty. There is no evidence for this because if the evidence existed, then the Minister would publish it. He has not done so and he will not do so. The people … stamp 4 process. They have spent their lives here. If they were to up sticks and leave, our health service could potentially collapse. Citizenship should not depend on income, because the income threshold will disproportionately affect people in lower paid but valuable employment - such as care workers; people

workers to making sure that we have fruit and vegetables on our tables, we are seeing people coming to this country to contribute. Citizenship should not be given away easily, of that I have no doubt. There have to be standards expected of anyone who comes here … five to eight years. I have constituents and friends who may already have started in the system or have not yet applied for citizenship and often have Irish partners. They are very concerned about these proposals. I welcomed the step forward when the Taoiseach said that for those

some of the debate, there seems to be a muddying of the waters as to what we are proposing in relation to citizenship and then the discussion in regards to migration. Ireland has always been a welcoming nation. However, over the last couple of years, we have realised … people to join the party. That is the political broadcast finished for now. At the same time, it has to be recognised that citizenship is not a right, but a privilege. People need to strive for it and work at it and ultimately be proud

right and I ask the Minister of State to get it right. As regards the other changes, particularly with regard to citizenship, no one is coming to me saying there is a big problem with citizenship. The problem is trying to apply for it and the difficulties applicants

that it is unnecessary, divisive and damaging. There has never been any demand in this Dáil or anywhere else for a discussion about citizenship. In fact, all I have heard about is IPAS centres and "illegals". Suddenly, we have a problem with citizenship. The Government is failing

been made and that has not done any damage to the issues of integration. Similarly, I have no objection to the issue of citizenship being examined or to changes being made 20 years after the last iteration, but as it relates to people who are playing … Bill that people who came here and have been granted visas knowing what the rules would be on their pathway to citizenship should be exempt from any final iteration of this Bill and should be covered by the existing regime. That would be proportionate and fair. These people

been people who are here for years who have done exactly what I said in that they have worked hard here, applied for citizenship, integrated and supported their families and communities. The rules on that should be based on the rules on the day they came here … rule that changes in that it should change from here on out. It is true we need to tighten up our citizenship and that we have an open-door policy that we need to tighten up, but the good people who came here for the right reasons should

this House have been saying for years now that the levels of inward migration and explosion in the number of people being granted citizenship would lead to major challenges for the State and for Irish society. We have been thoroughly vindicated in those concerns. That … will have an impact on a very small number of people but the time when the State can simply coast along handing out citizenship and immigration permissions like confetti is well past. I will end on that note

people from the North who say, "We did not vote for Brexit. We certainly did not vote to lose our European citizenship". Thankfully, most of them have Irish passports and they are able to retain their European citizenship, but they are no longer in the EU jurisdiction. That

Bill is going in the right direction and we will support it. Sinn Féin firmly believes in the core republican principle of equal citizenship and supports the right of all citizens of voting age to vote for the Irish President, regardless of their place of residence. The Good … Taoiseach, would have objected. We cannot go on ignoring the right of all our citizens to have a say. We are reducing their citizenship to little more than a passport. Let us start with giving our Northern countrymen and countrywomen a vote for a President who represents

terms of going to school and to the doctor and at passport control. It can give rise to longer term issues around acquiring citizenship rights and, in the event that one of the parents dies, there are issues around inheritance. It is fundamentally important that children have … around the world. So many people from my generation were forced to emigrate and they have children born abroad. Those children deserve Irish citizenship and deserve to be recognised. We need to fix the gaps in the law to allow that to happen. Our seventh recommendation is that

post-primary school in the country. Recently, Coimisiún na Meán supported and part-funded the development of Webwise’s new switched on digital citizenship education programme for fifth and sixth classes. Additionally, in July of this year the commission launched a nationwide advertising campaign in cinemas focused … cross-cutting nature of online safety. The Department of Education and Youth is supporting online safety in schools through curriculum supports, digital citizenship initiatives and the provision of funding for mobile phone storage solutions. The Department of Health will publish tomorrow the final report of the online health

Good Friday Agreement, but is still not allowed to vote in a presidential election.In effect, that means we have a two-tier citizenship in relation to this country and it is undemocratic.It is against the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. Imagine for a second the absolute … enabling a vote for Irish citizens in the North of Ireland. There are currently 700,000 Irish people in the North with Irish citizenship. They are being blocked by this Government. There is often a difference between talk and action in this place. Every political party has said

North of Ireland to identify themselves and to be accepted as Irish or British or both. It affirms their right to Irish citizenship, a right recognised in both Irish and international law. That means that every person born on this island, North or South, is part … Friday Agreement and the Constitution. You cannot recognise a person as Irish in law but deny them the most basic democratic right of citizenship, namely the right to vote for their President. In 2013, the constitutional convention, a citizens' assembly made up of ordinary people and elected representatives

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of a case (details supplied) involving a citizenship applicant who paid the €950 certification fee through the online citizenship portal, but due to an apparent technical issue the application remained in draft

Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date and month on which a person (details supplied) applied for Irish citizenship; the date and month when their application was approved by one of his predecessors; the reason the person who appeared to have been … work for many years and suffering from serious health problems qualified for consideration for Irish citizenship; and whether he plans to ask his officials to investigate this matter. [52074/26

Irish citizens residing abroad in obtaining official written confirmation that a child adopted overseas by an Irish citizen would be entitled to Irish citizenship under section 11 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956; if a mechanism exists through the passport service, Irish embassies, or another appropriate

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a person (details supplied) will be considered for the upcoming citizenship ceremony on 14 and 15 April 2026, given that their citizenship application was finalised recently after 41 months; and if he will make

proposal by his Department (details supplied) to prevent those who have accessed social protection payments within the past two years from applying for citizenship applies to non-refugee applicants for citizenship; which social protection payments are included; and the current status of the proposal. [24113/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason applicants for Irish Citizenship through the INIS online portal are only given one opportunity to submit requested additional documentation/information during the application process, given that applications where a query is raised and the requested … submit additional documentation and there is no appeal process in relation to applications for naturalisation under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24896/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons granted Irish citizenship by association under Section 16(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act 1956, for each year for the past ten years; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if Irish association applications for citizenship are being processed chronologically; if Irish association applications for citizenship from minors are receiving decisions before adult Irish association applicants; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted citizenship in each of the past ten, years broken down by the previous status of those granted citizenship, including whether previously granted refugee status; student visas, work visa, EU citizen

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the proposed change to the citizenship residency requirement from three to five years for people with international protection status, will apply to those who have already lived in Ireland for more than five years … have not yet submitted an application for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71641/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the proposed change to the citizenship residency requirement from three to five years for people with international protection status, will apply to applicants who have already submitted their citizenship application and are currently awaiting

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons with criminal convictions who have been granted citizenship, including naturalised citizenship, from 2010 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70239/25

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to complaints that the list of documentation required for a citizenship by naturalisation application on the immigration website and portal is not comprehensive and has resulted in applications being refused for the lack of said … documentation; and if he will ensure that a complete list of all documentation accepted and required for a citizenship application is made easily and publicly available. [68298/25

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of people granted Irish citizenship and the total number of citizenship ceremonies, respectively in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for Irish citizenship on grounds of "Irish Associations" under Section 16 (1) (a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 approved to date in 2025, and separately

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will confirm if a person (details supplied) is eligible for Irish citizenship based on their parent's citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51251/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of staff currently on the designated team in the citizenship division responsible for processing citizenship applications via Irish association, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50788/25

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications made by American citizens for Irish citizenship on grounds of "Irish Associations" under Section 16 (1) (a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, in each of the years

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of staff currently in the citizenship division; the total number of staff in the designated team responsible for processing citizenship applications via Irish association given that the 1,500 pending applications have

that a person born in Ireland after 2004 to non-Irish parents (one of whom is now a citizen) has to apply for citizenship to obtain a passport; if he can provide details of any supports that are in place to help with the financial cost of obtaining … citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43052/25

Home Affairs and Migration to provide a specific timeframe for when the backlog will be cleared and finished for the remaining old paper citizenship applications; and when exactly these remaining paper applicants will be notified of a citizenship decision; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the conditions which currently apply for an application for Irish citizenship; his views on whether these conditions are currently too lax and need to be tightened; if individuals who are granted asylum status receive any preferential … treatment or fast track in relation to citizenship applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35917/25

Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider extending the right to citizenship to great-grandchildren of Irish citizens, without the need for their parent to have attained citizenship before they were born.; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department monitors the employment status of those who have been granted Irish citizenship in recent years; if so, the number of adults who were granted citizenship from 2020 to date in 2025 currently in receipt of either

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants for Irish citizenship from those holding United States citizenship during each of the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21774/25