More than 5,000 people are receiving their Irish Citizenship this Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14 in ceremonies at the Convention Centre, Dublin.
Applicants from over 130 countries will make a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State and become Irish citizens over six ceremonies on Thursday and Friday, Ireland's Department of Justice said on Thursday.
As Presiding Officer, Judge Mary Irvine will confer the attendees with Irish Citizenship on Thursday and Friday. She will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
February 13, 2025: Irish citizenship ceremony at the Convention Centre, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
At the ceremonies, Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is being joined by Ireland's Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers, and Minister of State Niall Collins.
Minister O'Callaghan said he is honored to be participating in this week's Irish citizenship ceremonies, his first as Ireland's Minister for Justice.
"I know how much becoming an Irish citizen means to each and every person attending these ceremonies," O'Callaghan said.
"I want to congratulate them, along with their family and friends who have come along to support them, on this important moment in their lives.
"Becoming a citizen means more than receiving an Irish Passport, it is about belonging, knowing that Ireland is your home and becoming truly part of our society.
"I call on all our new citizens to actively contribute to the wellbeing of our society and collectively, we can make Ireland a better place for everyone."
February 13, 2025: Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan at the Irish citizenship ceremonies at the Convention Centre, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
Minister Chambers added: "As a Minister, I know the economic value that migration brings to Ireland.
"I recognise the integral role that migration plays filling pivotal roles in our economy and bringing with it new ways to work and fresh thinking to overcome challenges.
"As a fellow citizen, I also know the true value to our society and culture that migration has brought - helping to enrich our towns, villages and communities and making them more diverse, vibrant and dynamic places to live, study and work.
"I am delighted to be able to participate in this celebration and I would like to wish all of our new citizens well on this new chapter in their lives."
February 13, 2025: Priscila Zimmermand and Messias Cunha, who have been living in Ireland for almost seven years, at the Irish citizenship ceremonies at the Convention Centre, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
Minister of State Collins also congratulated all of the new Irish citizens, saying that it is a "privilege" to share the day with them, their families, and friends.
"Our new citizens are contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a range of skills and talents that are enhancing the capabilities of our labour market and economy," Collins said.
February 13, 2025: Mahmound Mahmoud, from Egypt, who has bene living in Ireland for almost four years, at the Irish citizenship ceremonies at the Convention Centre, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
Ireland's Department of Justice said on Thursday that since citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011, there has been a total of 203 ceremonies (including this week's dates) with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation.
To date, including minors, approximately 200,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011.
Following this week's citizenship ceremonies in Dublin, approximately a further 6,400 will be added to this figure.
The Department added that in just over two years, its Citizenship Division has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, and nearly 31,000 in 2024, the Department said.
"Significant changes" have been introduced in the Citizenship Division to speed up the application process for applicants, the Department said Thursday, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting.
As a result, processing times are now decreasing year on year. The length of time it takes to process an application has dropped from 15 months in 2023 to eight months in 2024.
The Department added that it is expected that going forward, the vast majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year, however, it is important to note that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
Comments