‘Amnesty’ for non-national parents of Irish children

AN amnesty is effectively being granted to non-national parents of Irish children as it emerged more than 11,000 have been told they can stay in the State.

Only 165 applicants have been refused, but none has yet been deported.

Close to 18,000 people applied to remain under a scheme set up after legislation was introduced at the start of this year ending automatic citizenship for children born on the island of Ireland. This followed the June 2004 referendum, when four out of every five voters (79%) voted in favour of changing the Constitution to end automatic citizenship.