Petition to the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament)

Subject: Ensuring a Fair Path to Irish Citizenship for Persons Under Temporary Protection: Equating with International Protection Status for Naturalisation Purposes.

To: The Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen, Oireachtas.

We, the undersigned residents of Ireland, including persons under Temporary Protection and their supporters, urgently appeal to the Irish Parliament to consider amendments to citizenship legislation. We request that the time spent in Ireland under Temporary Protection status be counted as "reckonable residence" for naturalisation purposes under the same conditions as for persons with recognised International Protection status (refugees), meaning a requirement of 3 years of residence instead of the current minimum of 5 years.

Rationale for Our Request:

 1. Principle of Fairness and Equality:

   Thousands of people, forced to flee their homes due to military conflicts and threats, have found refuge in Ireland. While individuals granted refugee status can apply for naturalisation after 3 years of residence, those under Temporary Protection (predominantly from Ukraine) currently do not have this right. Their time in Ireland, even if they are fully integrated into society, working, and paying taxes, does not count towards the "reckonable residence" needed for citizenship. This creates an unfair disparity in conditions for different categories of people who arrived in Ireland for similar humanitarian reasons.

2. Facilitating Long-Term Integration:

   Temporary Protection, while extended until March 2026, remains a "temporary" status, but for many, returning to their home country in the foreseeable future is uncertain or unsafe. The lack of a clear and accelerated path to citizenship (after 3 years) creates significant uncertainty in people's lives, hindering long-term planning and full integration. Granting the opportunity to apply for citizenship on par with refugees would allow these individuals to become full members of Irish society, benefiting both them personally and Ireland as a whole through their contributions to the economy, culture, and social life.

 3. Alignment with Irish Values:

   Ireland has always been a country that welcomes and supports people in need. This principle was evident in the unprecedented welcome extended to over 113,000 Ukrainians. Providing an accelerated path to citizenship for those actively participating in the country's life, paying taxes, and seeking stability, would align with these humanitarian values and demonstrate that Ireland values the contribution of every resident. This also aligns with Ireland's commitments under international law regarding refugees and those in need of protection.

 4. Addressing Inconsistency:

   A 3-year residence requirement for naturalisation already exists for individuals with refugee status, as well as for spouses of Irish citizens. Extending this provision to those under Temporary Protection would be a logical step, simplifying and unifying the process, and addressing the current inconsistency.

Call to Action:

We are convinced that the Irish Parliament has the authority and capability to make the necessary changes to legislation. We urge the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen to thoroughly consider this petition and recommend to the Government of Ireland to:

 1. Amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended) to count time spent in Ireland under Temporary Protection status as "reckonable residence" for naturalisation purposes.

 2. Establish a 3-year residence requirement for individuals under Temporary Protection, similar to current provisions for those with International Protection.

We hope our plea will be heard, and that Ireland will continue to demonstrate its commitment to the principles of fairness, compassion, and effective integration.

Thousands of residents of Ireland who support this petition.