A large group gathered outside Leinster House on Tuesday to protest the Government’s proposed citizenship changes, with one sign reading “Deport Jim O’Callaghan”.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has been heavily criticised by some Opposition TDs and migrant rights groups since it was approved by the Cabinet.
The most controversial change is an increase in the eligibility period for citizenship from five to eight years. The system will also include a civics test, financial requirements and look unfavourably on those receiving social welfare payments.
“There’s no onus on Ireland to move to eight years,” Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) director Neil Bruton told The Irish Times. “It’s totally unfair ... it’s unjustifiable, really. France, Belgium, Germany all have five years. There’s no directive saying we need to change this.”
RM Block
He said the Government’s description of the changes as an attempt to align with other European countries was a “smokescreen”.
Pretty Ndawo, who is originally from South Africa and has lived in Ireland for four years, said she applied for family reunification for her daughter last year, but is afraid the changes “will keep us apart for much longer”.
“I work ... I love my job, and I contribute economically with my taxes,” she said. “What essentially these amendments say is that I’m only a unit of labour. I cannot get sick in my work, or else I will not be able to get citizenship, which means that it might take me longer to bring my daughter here as well.
“So, there’s so many elements of it that affect my stay and my ability to make Ireland feel like home, and to participate.”
[ New rules for Irish citizenship: How will they work?Opens in new window ]
Ndawo said she feels the new rules are “pushing a narrative out there that migrants should not belong or should not find belonging or find a home in Ireland”.
Pradeep Mahadeshwar, a Dublin-based visual artist and LGBTQ+ activist originally from India, has Irish citizenship but fears for those who will be affected by the changes.
“The Government and Minister O’Callaghan haven’t explained them properly,” he added.
Bruton said MRCI was also “extremely concerned” about the salary threshold/income test proposal.
“We don’t know what that’s going to be, but we’re very concerned that that’s going to be set at a level that’s going to rule out thousands of essential workers across the country from ever becoming citizens,” he said.
“What we could end up with is an underclass of essential workers, healthcare assistants in nursing homes, meat factory workers, farm workers, chefs ... who can never become citizens of this country.”
Among the notable posters was a mock-up of a game of snakes and ladders, featuring Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy, titled: “The Unfair Game of Citizenship”.
