Fianna Fáil has come in for sustained criticism as the party announced changes to Ireland’s immigration laws.
At the behest of its more socially conservative rural base, who are in danger of bolting to Aontú or Independent Ireland, new changes were announced to Ireland’s immigration laws at the party’s think-in.
Chief among them, it will now take someone eight years to become an Irish citizen instead of the current five years; would-be immigrants will now be required to take a test in either English or Irish, and prove their economic self-sufficiency.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan claims that similar measures are already in place across Europe, and that it was merely bringing Ireland in line with other European countries.
Subtextually, Minister O’Callaghan is saying he agrees with other European governments having hardline policies on immigration, which were drawn up by right-wing parties.
Minister O’Callaghan told RTÉ that the policies were “common sense” and stated it was “not unreasonable” for Ireland to align itself with other EU nations on immigration.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the accession of the EU Migration Pact, a sweeping piece of legislation passed with the support of far-right parties in the European Parliament this summer.
During the passage of the bill, far-right MEPs chanted “send them back.”
Fianna Fáil’s attitudes towards immigration have changed substantially since they were returned to office in the November 2024 general election, without the moderating force of the Green Party in coalition.
In the same interview with RTÉ, Martin said “we have a firmer and more robust migration system now, and numbers of those seeking asylum is reducing, and has reduced over the last 12 months.”
Martin also said that it was important that would-be immigrants to Ireland had an “understanding of Irish values,” a rather foot-in-mouth comment from the leader of a country who once hired someone with no proficiency in Irish to be Minister for the Gaeltacht.
The reaction to the move has been criticised by various opposition politicians and organisations.
Labour TD Alan Kelly dubbed Minister O’Callaghan’s measures as “performative politics.”
“People who have lived here for years, who work here, pay taxes here, raise their families here and contribute to their communities should have a clear and reasonable pathway to becoming Irish citizens,” he said.
“Citizenship is an important part of successful integration. This could have a real negative impact on our ability as a nation to attract workers in critical areas,” he warned.
The Irish Council For Civil Liberties warned, “requiring people to wait eight years before applying, pass language and civics tests and demonstrate financial self-sufficiency would create significant barriers for people who have already established their lives in Ireland.”
“The eight-year waiting period does not account for the substantial delays that already affect the current system,” they noted.
“There are no general language requirements for someone to obtain a work visa or employment permit in Ireland. So, effectively, we are saying that whatever level of English you have is good enough to work, study, pay taxes and participate in Irish society, but it’s not good enough to become a citizen, have the right to vote and have a more stable immigration status. That simply doesn’t make sense.
The ICCL said that the changes were “simply aimed at making Ireland a hostile place for migrants who contribute so much to our economy and society.”
Green Party councillor Ray Cunningham said of Minister O’Callaghan that “kicking immigrants is popular among the people he is appealing to; it doesn’t have to make sense.”
“Jim O’Callaghan keeps twisting that racism dial and listening to the cheers from Fianna Fáil,” the Ballyfermot-Drimnagh councillor remarked.