The Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD, was joined by the Minister for Finance & Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, in congratulating 3,000 new Irish citizens across three citizenship ceremonies at the Convention Centre Killarney today. The Presiding Officers at the ceremonies were Retired High Court Judge Bryan McMahon and Retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon. Those granted citizenship at today’s ceremonies originate from over 120 different countries.
Addressing the new citizens, Minister Donohoe said: “It is a great privilege for me to be here with you in Killarney, on this very special day, the day on which Irish citizenship will be formally conferred on you during this simple but solemn ceremony. Becoming a citizen of one’s country goes to the essence of our democracy and constitutional principles. Together with your families and with your friends here today we join with you in celebrating this major event in your life.”
Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 in order to mark the occasion of the granting of citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. Following today’s ceremonies, there have now been 138 Citizenship Ceremonies held at which some 90,000 applicants have received their Certificates of Naturalisation. Including minors, who are not required to attend a ceremony, up to the end of 2018 the total granted Irish citizenship is just under 120,000. In total, nationals of 181 different countries have become Irish citizens since 2011.
Minister of State Stanton said: “On becoming Irish citizens you have the same rights, the same duties and the same responsibilities as every other Irish citizen. We ask you, as we ask all our citizens, to participate actively in our communities, to be good citizens and to uphold the law. Your presence at this ceremony today marks the end of the process to citizenship. You are now beginning a new journey and a new phase of your life as our newest Irish citizens. My earnest wish for each and every one of you here today as you embark on this new phase, is that it will be a journey full of hope and full of optimism with a bright new future as members of the great Irish global family.”
This is the second occasion when large scale citizenship ceremonies have been held outside of Dublin. The Gleneagles Hotel Convention Centre, Killarney is the new location for large citizenship ceremonies going forward. Details of future ceremonies and the process for applying for citizenship are placed on www.inis.gov.ie
ENDS
Note for editors:
The top ten countries of origin for those receiving citizenship today were as follows:
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