Taoiseach hints there may be leniency for citizenship applications in system ahead of rule change

Micheál Martin's comments in direct contrast to what justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said, as he stated even those two months away from becoming eligible would be impacted by the new rules

Micheál Martin in New York with the city's mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has suggested there may be leniency for citizenship applications that are making their way through the system ahead of a change to residency requirements.

This is in direct contrast to what justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said, as he stated even those two months away from becoming eligible would be impacted by the new rules.

Cabinet approved new rules for citizenship applications earlier this month, including a change of reckonable residency from five years to eight years.

Many aspiring citizens who spoke to the Irish Examiner in recent weeks called for a transition period to be implemented, so those who are nearing the five-year mark do not have to wait another three years.

Asked about the fairness of the rule change for people close to becoming eligible in New York ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday evening, Mr Martin said Mr O’Callaghan would come back to Cabinet with further proposals, and the Government would ensure they are “fair”.

“Aspects such as the one you've just mentioned will be looked at in terms of people who are already in the country,” the Taoiseach said.

“But I will wait for the ministers to come back. We will be fair.”

Mr Martin said some people who were making their way through the asylum process and were delayed by the system's slowness and appeals were applying for citizenship after being in the country for five years. Those seeking asylum cannot claim citizenship until they have been given leave to remain.

However, he accepted this is not the case for all people seeking citizenship.

“On the other hand, you have people working here who came in through work permits and so forth,” Mr Martin continued.

“We understand that they've played by the rules as they exist to date. These are issues that fall for further discussion. I think the minister made that clear to the Cabinet when he brought it to Government.

“He's working on the detail of it, and he'll come back to us.”

Mr Martin’s comments come just weeks after Mr O’Callaghan suggested those close to the five-year residency requirement will be negatively impacted if they are not eligible before the rules change.

“Obviously, legislation always discriminates against individuals,” he said.

“There are cut-off points, but if you have been here for four years and 10 months by the time the laws are changed and commenced, it will affect you. That’s the truth of the matter. But legislation will always, I suppose, affect and discriminate against people on the edges.”

Government sources previously told the Irish Examiner there would be no lead in time for the new requirements, and that anyone who did not have an application submitted by the time the rules changed would have to wait another three years.

It is currently anticipated that the rules will be in place before Christmas.

Other new rules expected to be introduced include a civics test and a language test to show proficiency in either English or Irish.

Those applying for citizenship will also have to show that they are self-sufficient and will not become a burden on the State, with the justice minister setting a prescribed minimum income.