What motivates some migrants to ‘become’ Irish - and does it affect their standing back ‘home’? CATHERINE REILLY speaks to one half of a Dublin-based South African couple, whose citizenship applications are about to be posted
THIRTY-FOUR-year-old Pierre Clarke from Durban in South Africa is putting the finishing touches on his application for Irish citizenship. Along with wife Janine, he’s lived in Ireland for eight years and has two Irish children.
It’s a multicultural household but the couple’s eldest, aged five, is sure of his identity: “As much as we try and keep in touch with the South African side, he loves Ireland,” reveals Pierre. “He has a Dublin accent. There’s no doubt as to what he qualifies as.”
For Pierre, his own journey towards Irish citizenship is more pragmatic than passionate – though he does feel an “allegiance” to Ireland. “I always say to myself that I’m a republican,” he says jokingly.
“European passports are probably the best in the world, in terms of travel and work,” he continues. “A South African passport can be a real headache – for example the UK changed their rules in March and now you need a visa to go there.”
A civil engineering consultant, the South African feels he’s contributed to Ireland over the past eight years, and says the citizenship application process should be more transparent, as most applicants have been tax-paying residents for several years. He points out that, last year, the application fee rose by just under 50 per cent to €950.
Several friends have also sought citizenship after completing the necessary five years’ residency – but some have received puzzling responses from the Department of Justice.
“I’ve heard that they tend to send all your stuff back and don’t explain what’s missing. There’s also no explanation for the long waiting lists of 23 months – I know people waiting beyond that. When they seek clarification they get the stock standard response: ‘We’ll process it as soon as possible.’” This is a particularly precarious situation for those who are in Ireland on expiring work authorisations and permits.
Meanwhile, Pierre and his wife can keep their South African citizenship as their homeland allows dual citizenship. As a formality, the Clarkes must inform the South African Embassy in Dublin of their application for Irish citizenship.
As much as anything, their dual nationality will represent a duality of homes. Owning property in Dublin – and scores of memories and friends – Ireland is home, but the emotional ties to South Africa mean that it could be their permanent home sometime in the future.
