Sir, – The proposed changes to Ireland’s citizenship laws will make Ireland “one of the least hospitable countries in terms of naturalisation requirements”, according to an expert quoted in a recent article in this paper (“Is it easier to become a naturalised citizen in Ireland than elsewhere?”, News, September 14th).
These changes reflect a growing negativity towards immigration in Ireland. They will have a significant impact on nurses, doctors, engineers and other workers who have made Ireland their home over the last five years. Many of them have been saving towards applying for citizenship and anxiously awaiting the time when they can do so.
This is a deeply short-sighted development on the part of the Government. It may also prove to be spectacularly self-defeating. People may be deterred from coming to Ireland if they feel that, even after establishing a life here, the path to citizenship will be made increasingly difficult. At a time when birth rates across Europe are plummeting, we need to wake up to the reality that Ireland needs people to come here, work, pay taxes and contribute to the economy. These workers will also help to fund the pensions and public services that an ageing population will increasingly depend upon.
Making Ireland less attractive to those who might build their lives here makes little economic or demographic sense. – Yours, etc,
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GILL KENNEDY,
Dublin 8.
