It has been reported in Irish news outlets and confirmed by TD John Deasy of Waterford, acting as a special envoy to the United States, that there have been discussions between government officials from Ireland and the US to negotiate a deal that would relax rules for American citizens looking to retire to Ireland in exchange for addressing the status of tens of thousands of Irish citizens currently living undocumented in the US.

This news may explain the delay in publishing new rules for Stamp 0 applicants which was promised by the Ministry 2 years ago.

No time table has been revealed and no further information is currently available.  Let us hope that these discussions are serious and that each side is fully motivated to make changes to help improve the lives of all people suffering from these restrictive immigration rules.