Proposed citizenship rules risk creating permanent exclusion, organisations warn.

A joint statement by Doras, Immigrant Council of Ireland, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Irish Refugee Council, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Nasc, AkiDwA and the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre have expressed serious concern about reported proposals, to be brought to cabinet on Wednesday, that will significantly restrict access to Irish citizenship.

According to reports, the proposed legislation would increase the standard residence requirement from five to eight years and introduce language, civics, income and social- conditions, which could exclude people who are already contributing to Irish society.

No rationale, research or evidence has been presented by the Department for these proposed changes, and no issues have been identified within the current system. Claims that these changes bring us in line with Europe do not ring true when many European countries maintain a 5 year residence requirement.

A spokesperson said:

“Citizenship supports integration, belonging and participation. These proposals, if implemented, do the opposite.

Requiring people to wait eight years before applying, pass language and civics tests and demonstrate financial self-sufficiency would create significant barriers for people who have already established their lives in Ireland. The eight year waiting period does not account for the substantial delays that already affect the current system.

There are no general language requirements for someone to obtain a work visa or employment permit in Ireland. So, effectively, we are saying that whatever level of English you have is good enough to work, study, pay taxes and participate in Irish society, but it's not good enough to become a citizen, have the right to vote and have a more stable immigration status. That simply doesn’t make sense.

A person should not be excluded from citizenship because they became ill, lost a job, needed housing support or faced another period of hardship. The proposals will also prolong the political disenfranchisement of people who live, work, pay taxes and raise families here, but cannot vote in general elections or referendums.

Refugees and migrant workers are likely to remain in Ireland and contribute to our communities for many years. Keeping people in an extended and uncertain status does not help integration. It delays it.

We urge the Government to scrap these plans that are simply aimed at making Ireland a hostile place for migrants who contribute so much to our economy and society.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes to editors

RTÉ reports that the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be brought before the Cabinet on Wednesday.