Sinn Féin proposes long-term residency permit as alternative to citizenship

The proposal would provide them with the right to work, while also providing access to public services like healthcare and education

Matt Carthy said: 'The system is so filled with delays that many people just see citizenship as an easier route.' File photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

A new long-term residency permit should be introduced as an alternative to seeking citizenship, Sinn Féin has proposed.

The party's justice spokesperson Matt Carthy suggested a new facility for long-term residency would help reduce the strain on Ireland’s naturalisation system, as part of the party’s new policy on citizenship.

Mr Carthy said there are lots of people living in the state who do not necessarily want to be granted citizenship, but who face annual visa renewal procedures.

“The system is so filled with delays that many people just see citizenship as an easier route,” Mr Carthy said.

“What we are saying is there are people who are in the state for a long period of time. They don't necessarily want to become Irish citizens, but they want to have the security and be relieved of the stress of having to reapply for visas every year.”

Mr Carthy said the proposed long-term residency would “take a lot of pressure off” people who plan to be in Ireland for the foreseeable future, while also taking pressure off the naturalisation system.

A person would become eligible for long-term residency by having five years of qualifying residence in Ireland, complying with immigration laws, meeting tax obligations and being of good character.

The proposal would provide them with the right to work, change employer or start a business without an employment permit, while also providing access to public services like healthcare and education.

Sinn Féin’s reforms will require eight years of reckonable residence, the same as the Government’s proposed changes.

However, the party has said shorter routes to citizenship should be maintained in a “proportionate form”, including for people granted refugee status and spouses or civil partners of Irish citizens.

It also proposes a transition period for people who are seeking citizenship currently, rather than a cut-off point when new rules are introduced.

'Good character test'

As part of its reforms, Sinn Féin has also pledged to introduce a statutory “good character test” which would consider if a person has been convicted of serious offences, while also looking at repeat offending. 

It would also consider whether an applicant had committed fraud in immigration, citizenship, taxation or social protection matters.

Mr Carthy said while there are requirements for applicants to be of good character in the existing rules, the definition of good character is not defined.

“It just leaves a huge amount of space. We’re very clear that anybody who has very serious criminal convictions, either in Ireland or in another state, or who has been involved in persistent criminal activity, wouldn’t be eligible for citizenship."

The party has also proposed that any applicant for citizenship must be self-sufficient, rather than introducing a salary floor.

“Of course, people need to show that they’re not going to be a burden on the State,” Mr Carthy said, but said this did not mean a person could not take time off on sick leave or to care for a relative.

Other requirements proposed by the party include proficiency in English, Irish or ISL and a civics assessment.

• Tadgh McNally, political reporter