Citizenship laws most generous in Europe: McDowell

THE new rules for Irish citizenship are the most open and generous in Europe, according to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Changes to Irish citizenship law arising from last June’s referendum will be operational from the beginning of the New Year, Mr McDowell announced yesterday.

Last June’s Constitutional amendment was carried by a resounding four-to-one majority. The change to the Constitution means babies born in Ireland to non-Irish parents will no longer have the automatic right to Irish citizenship.