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Protesters oppose longer wait for Irish citizenship

RTÉ News reports from Leinster House as campaigners challenge proposed residency, income and testing requirements for naturalisation.

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RTÉ News Story of November 4, 2026Trari Newsroom

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Protesters call for citizenship changes not to go ahead #RTÉNews

An eight-year wait for naturalisation, language testing and income conditions are among the proposed citizenship changes drawing protesters to Leinster House, RTÉ News reports.

The demonstration took place on Tuesday as the Justice Committee began considering the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026. According to RTÉ, the bill would extend the standard residency requirement from five years to eight and introduce mandatory language testing and an Irish civics exam. The changes have not been enacted.

Neil Bruton, director of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, calls on the Government to abandon the proposals. "And really, we're here to say they're not fair. There's no rationale that's been put forward," he says in the report.

RTÉ's footage shows Irish Refugee Council and MRCI banners among the crowd, alongside signs reading "Migrants welcome here". A speaker addresses demonstrators outside the gates while press photographers document the gathering.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has described the proposed changes as "reasonable", RTÉ reports. Bruton's objections extend beyond the longer residency period: he criticises a proposed salary threshold and raises concern about a potential bar on citizenship applications linked to social welfare.

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