Exempt migrants with Irish citizen in family from proposed residency rule, says McDowell

Senators have raised concerns about the impact of proposed changes on migrants raising children and building lives in Ireland

Independent senator Michael McDowell cautioned that he did not believe anybody who resides in Ireland should have 'an expectation' of citizenship. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

People who are raising a family with an Irish citizen should be given exemptions from new residency rules for gaining citizenship, the Seanad has heard.

Independent senator Michael McDowell made the call for an exemption to be introduced to stop people from being required to wait eight years for citizenship, if they are raising a family alongside an Irish citizen.