‘Certificates of Irishness’ axed

A ’certificates of Irishness’ scheme set up to entice the descendants of emigrants to connect with their heritage has been scrapped after just 3,000 applications out of a 70m strong diaspora applied in four years.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision yesterday, after admitting that interest was “considerably less than anticipated”.

Set up in 2011 by then tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Eamon Gilmore at a time of mass emigration, the scheme was designed to encourage a closer connection between Ireland and those who had left the country.