Irish citizenship exam may be introduced as early as February
The Department of Justice is considering the introduction of an exam for immigrants who want to gain Irish citizenship in the future.
The citizenship exam proposal “is being evaluated as part of a wider review of citizenship legislation,” the department told Metro Éireann.
Although no time frame has been given, it is believed that the exam could be introduced as early as Feburary next year, coinciding with new measures announced nearly three months ago by the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter TD aimed at reducing the decision times on citizenship applications.
The exam could be modelled alongside the written tests used in the UK, US and Canada, which evaluate some basic knowledge of the culture and history of the host country, as well as language abilities.
Some immigrants and legal experts warn that introducing such an exam would be unfair and counterproductive.
“There are very many people among indigenous Irish people who cannot read and write,” said Waheed Mudah, a solicitor at Dublin-based Kevin Tunney Solicitors. “Does that diminish their status as good citizens of this country? No.”
Mudah said if a test was introduced, it would negatively impact on the lives of immigrants who want to become Irish.
“There are very many non-Irish nationals, well behaved and law abiding, who cannot read and write and who are transacting their lawful business in the State, who could be prevented from becoming citizens as a result of such a policy, except if there is going to be a way of assessing people who cannot read and write.”
He also wondered what value such an exam would bring to the citizenship process.
“The current regime is stringent enough so there is no point in introducing further conditions,” he said. “Surveys of other EU countries will suggest that the condition of [attaining] citizenship is more stringent here. In those countries, people are not refused citizenship because of traffic offences.
“It is another condition stopping [immigrants] from becoming [Irish] citizens.”
Rather than taking an exam, South African activist Patrick Maphoso said people who meet the criteria should go through an orientation programme to help them learn the basic facts about Ireland, its people and culture.
Previously Metro Éireann has heard from immigrants who say that such a programme would enable new citizens to both value their Irish citizenship and become good ambassadors for the country.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said some 5,500 immigrants were granted Irish citizenship between 1 January 2011 and 29 July. Nearly half of this number were granted in July alone.
Of the approximately 2,000 new Irish citizens in July 2011, 1,349 were recognised during nine separate citizenship ceremonies that took place on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 July at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines.
The department confirmed that people from 83 countries – across all continents except Antarctica participated in the ceremonies, but refused to give a breakdown of the countries and citizens.
“We can confirm that the department does not in fact retain these figures,” said a spokesperson. “There is no legal basis for sharing this information in any event.”
