Copying the UK's unpopular, untested migration model looks like political opportunism

Being 'tough on immigration' mainly means being tough on ordinary individuals who are keeping our society ticking over, writes Fiona Hurley, CEO of Nasc

The Garda National Immigration Bureau removing people from the State on a chartered flight which left Dublin Airport in April for Georgia. Photo: Garda Press Office

As Ireland absorbs Wednesday’s announcements on major changes to citizenship and family reunification rules, it’s clear the Government has chosen to pursue a much harsher approach to integration. 

The speed at which these proposals have surfaced makes it difficult to avoid the conclusion that this is political opportunism. The new measures will include a requirement that refugees and migrants applying for citizenship must be ‘self-sufficient’ and not have received certain social welfare supports in the previous two years.