Dublin, June 2024 – This Thursday and Friday, 5,400 new Irish citizens will be honored at Citizenship Ceremonies held at the Convention Centre in Dublin. The ceremonies, presided over by retired judges Justice Deirdre Murphy and Justice Bryan McMahon, will include the administration of the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State.
The event will highlight both the rights and responsibilities of Irish citizenship. New citizens will be encouraged to participate actively in their communities and to share their unique skills, traditions, and cultures, enriching Irish society.
Recent changes in the Citizenship Division have significantly improved the application process. These changes include the introduction of an online application system, online payments, and eVetting, reducing the processing time for new applications to about 12 months, down from a peak of 19 months.
The Citizenship Division has increased its capacity, processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, up from 12,000 annually in previous years. Already in 2024, 16,000 decisions have been made. The number of citizenship ceremonies has also increased, with 15 ceremonies held in the first half of 2024 alone, surpassing the total for all of 2022.
New Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values. They are expected to contribute to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a variety of skills and talents that enhance the Irish economy.