It has been revealed that more than 5,600 people are to become Irish citizens in the coming days.
Over the next two days, more than 5,600 people are to be conferred with Irish citizenship in Dublin, amid a tightening of the rules regarding the topic under new legislation brought to the Cabinet by Justice Minister, Jim O'Callaghan.
The tightening of these rules for those applying for Irish citizenship includes an increase in the requirement of residency in the country, which will increase from five to eight years.
Other changes include a language proficiency test, knowledge about Irish society, as well as proof of economic self sufficiency.
At this morning's ceremony, Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy, has said that new legislation contained in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Amendment Bill 2026, should come into effect by the end of this year.
He did emphasise that it was still important to remember that this was "a wonderful day for people to have the opportunity to become and a privilege to become an Irish citizen. And I think today you'll see that reflected in the numbers that are here and the enjoyment which they and their families will have in becoming citizens".
Mr Brophy said that there has been a rise in the frequency and numbers who have attended these ceremonies over the years.
The highest number of people conferred at these ceremonies are from Pakistan with 855 applicants, with 716 from India, and 425 from the Syrian Arab Republic.
It was also found that the fourth highest number was from Brazil, followed by Afghanistan, and the UK, which had 246 applicants.
Regarding any criticism of these new changes being brought into the test, such as migrant groups and if more vulnerable groups of people will be negatively affected by them, Mr Brophy replied: "We always keep things under review and we always look at what is best practice".
"So, with the new legislation that we're bringing forward, we think it reflects citizenship in the environment in which we live today. It's very much mirroring what's happening in other EU member states", he said.
He added: "We are always conscious, right across everything to do with migration, of taking account where there are vulnerabilities and where there are special circumstances, whether that's a person's ability on literacy or ability in terms of the financial area".
"So we will look at that, and we will regulate that, and we will put in place the systems that, if somebody has a genuine vulnerability, that we're able to take that into account".
Ahead of these ceremonies, Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan said: "Today is a significant milestone for every person receiving Irish citizenship".
"Citizenship is among the most important legal statuses the State can confer, reflecting not only a connection to Ireland but also a commitment to participating in the life of our country", he added.
"I want to welcome our newest citizens and to recognise the contribution they have already made to Irish society. From today, they will help shape Ireland's future as full and equal participants in our democracy". (All quotes according to RTÉ).
Judge Paddy McMahon is the presiding officer over these ceremonies in the coming days. He will confer Irish citizenship upon the attendees.
The judge will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, while the new citizens will pledge to faithfully observe the laws of the State and respect its democratic values. (All quotes according to RTÉ).
