National protest at 1pm today (Tuesday, 3 November 2026), ahead of the Oireachtas Justice Committee’s scrutiny of the citizenship bill
PHOTOCALL
- When: Tuesday, 3 November, 1pm–2pm
- Where: Outside Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
- Visual: A giant game of snakes and ladders, “The Unfair Game of Citizenship”. New snakes added by the Minister send migrant workers sliding back down the board: an eight-year wait, an income test and a welfare bar. Migrant workers and families will be playing the game live.
Migrant workers, families and supporters from across the country will gather outside Leinster House today to oppose the Government’s proposed changes to Irish citizenship under the General Scheme of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026. The protest takes place ahead of a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Neil Bruton, Director of MRCI, said:
“Migrant workers are caring for older people, staffing hospitals and nursing homes and keeping our farms, factories and kitchens running. They pay their taxes, coach in local clubs and volunteer in our communities. These proposals tell them they’re welcome to work here, pay taxes here, but not to belong here.
“The Government says this is about aligning with Europe. Which Europe? Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta all have a five-year rule, along with Ireland and others. More than half of those who live in the EU live in countries with a five year residency period. Germany cut its wait from eight years to five in 2024. Ireland is choosing to follow the most restrictive countries in Europe, not the mainstream.
“No one has identified a single problem with our current citizenship system or with our new citizens. The Government’s own advisers say Ireland needs to attract and retain migrant workers to support an economy facing an ageing population. This Bill does the opposite.
“Look at where Irish people emigrate to. In Australia, they can apply for citizenship after four years. In Canada it’s three, and in the United States five. We may as well take the Céad Míle Fáilte sign down at Dublin Airport.”
Pretty Ndawo, a migrant worker originally from South Africa who has lived in Ireland for four years, said:
“Ireland has become my second home. But I left my daughter behind in South Africa, and because of last year’s family reunification changes we are still kept apart. Today we are here again because of another policy targeted at migrants.
“Lengthening the wait to eight years reduces migrants to units of labour. It says my presence is only acceptable as long as I pay taxes.
“Excluding anyone who has needed social welfare is cruel. It says migrants cannot get sick or injured – despite paying social insurance. At MRCI we see the devastating impact exploitation has on workers, and this Bill would punish them for seeking support.
“A salary threshold puts a price tag on citizenship. Migrants already contribute more than they take out, while supporting families here and at home. Why should a tech worker in a multinational corporation be more entitled to citizenship than the healthcare assistant holding a sick grandparent’s hand?
“We need to stand together with one voice, unshaken and unwavering, and reject every element of this Bill. Now is the time for Unity, every person seeking refuge, every migrant worker and every person in Ireland who welcomes migrants and wants us to be treated with dignity and respect. Now is the time to stand up against laws and policies driven by hate, discrimination and racism.”
The proposed citizenship changes include:
- Increasing the residence requirement from five to eight years (two years’ continuous residence immediately before applying, plus six in the preceding ten).
- An income test, with the minimum income set at the Minister’s discretion. No figure has been published.
- Refusing anyone who has received a prescribed social welfare payment or housing support in the two years before applying, or at any point during the application. Housing supports could include HAP and charitable housing.
- Requiring applicants to keep meeting the income and welfare conditions for the entire processing period.
- Language tests (English, Irish or Irish Sign Language) and a civics test, with the standard, format and fees all left to the Minister.
- A new ministerial power to revoke citizenship on undefined “public order” and national security grounds.
MRCI says the Government has produced no evidence to justify the changes and is calling for the proposals to be withdrawn in full.
