Chambers Ireland calls for easier route to Irish citizenship

CHAMBERS Ireland has called on the Government to simplify the means by which new Irish residents and their dependents can become citizens.

They have questioned whether the Irish politicians who are lobbying in support of Irish illegal migrants in America will work to apply the same principals to Ireland’s immigration system.

Speaking this morning, Chair of Chambers Ireland’s HR Policy Council John Forde said: “While Ireland does not face the same issues with illegal immigrants, our immigration system has similar flaws.

“It is highly bureaucratic and lacks transparency and a straightforward, easy to understand pathway to citizenship. Furthermore, it fails to provide for the partners of migrant workers,” he added.

Chambers Ireland’s most recent Labour Force Survey identified that many participants reported significant difficulties with the employment permit process and obtaining accessible information about living and working in Ireland.

The lack of automatic working visas for partners was also cited as a barrier to attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants in Ireland.

Mr Forde added: “The option for permanent residency should be an integral part of the new Irish system, as well as the automatic provision of working visas for partners.

“This is necessary if we are to recruit talented workers to Ireland and ensure that they fully participate in Irish society as well as its economy,” he added.

He said the most culturally homogenous workforce in the state is the public sector owing to its arcane recruitment practices.

“This may well explain the lack of empathy and understanding that new-Irish residents experience in their interactions with official Ireland.”