Sinn Féin sets out citizenship reform proposals

Matt Carthy (0:00)

The Hard Shoulder, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman.

Ciara Kelly (0:04)

On Newstalk, with Ciara.

Now Sinn Fein has proposed increasing standard residency to eight years and the implementation of a basic language competency as an alternative to the government's proposals on citizenship. And joining us now is Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein's spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Good evening to you, Matt. This long term residency permit that you're talking about, in what way does it differ from citizenship?

Matt Carthy (0:32)

So Ciara, thanks for having me on and for discussing this issue. Sinn Fein believed that Irish citizenship is something that should be valued and earned because it represents membership of our nation, it carries rights and responsibilities. And in our view, it should reflect a genuine and lasting commitment to Ireland. And we're very clear that citizenship shouldn't be an immigration status. And we are aware from our own conversations and engagements with various sectors that quite a number of people who apply for citizenship do so because the visa system as it currently is in place and the permit system is archaic, resulting in people having to go through very lengthy and bureaucratic processes on sometimes an annual basis just to renew their status. These are people who are valued members of our community but who don't necessarily want to become Irish citizens and therefore what we have suggested is in line with what most Western countries have, which is have an alternative to citizenship for people who fill into that category that would ensure guarantee of lawful residency, provide that certainty but without providing or comparing the rights of citizenship.

Ciara Kelly (1:51)

And just on that basis Matt, why would somebody go for this though instead of citizenship? Because this, they also have to be in good standing, they also have to be here for over five years, up to eight years. And they also have to go through a series of hoops. So why would they choose this, your system, rather than citizenship? Because they are now living here long term, but I presume as non-citizens they haven't got the vote, even though as you say they have access to other sorts of services.

Matt Carthy (2:15)

Yeah, and some people are quite satisfied with the citizenship that we have. And we know from our own experience, I suppose the advantage we have as Irish people is we now understand migration from both perspectives. Many of our ancestors and indeed many of our current younger generation have either decided or felt forced to emigrate. And we know the experiences. And we know the Irish people who moved abroad, in some cases, attained citizenship and abided by the rules and requirements in order to attain that citizenship. But some were quite happy to remain Irish citizens despite the fact that they had left the country and that's their right.

The difficulty is from an Irish perspective is that those who have come here and who want to remain long term, if they don't wish to become citizens, then as I say, what they have to endure is a very lengthy bureaucratic process on an ongoing basis without that full certainty that they also want to.

Ciara Kelly (3:13)

But I suppose, Matt, all I'm asking you is why would somebody choose to go to, because there are hoops for them to jump through for you. As I say, they have to be at least five years qualifying residents. Ireland have to comply with our immigration laws, meet tax obligations, be of good character.

You're quite specific about good character, no serious criminal convictions here or abroad. By the way, I think these are all reasonable things. I wouldn't argue with any of them. But my point is if I was going to go through these hoops, why wouldn't I go for full citizenship and then I could vote here as well?

Matt Carthy (3:42)

There's a number of criteria that would be required in order to meet the citizenship status that we have set that wouldn't be in place for the long-term residency, such as the civic test, citizenship wouldn't be required for long-term residence.

While we would argue that language and integration support should be readily available to people in that category and even actively encourage it wouldn't be absolutely necessary as it would be for citizenship. As I say, the real reason, and there's been quite a number of migration experts who have set out that Ireland is an anomaly, even within the European Union of having a long-term residency program. This is for people who don't want to change their citizenship. They are comfortable and happy with their nationality and their citizenship. They don't necessarily want to change that, but they want an avenue that ensures that their contribution to Irish society is valued and that they don't have the precariousness that sometimes is over people in that situation.