Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

It appears that many British people are worry about the UK leaving the EU -

Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months - Irish Post

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

128 extra applications a year is hardly a tidal wave.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Surely there's no need to rush? If someone is entitled to an Irish Passport before the referendum, would they not still be entitled after the referendum?

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Indeed. The referendum has most likely prompted those extra applicants to register themselves when they may have not bothered otherwise but they could equally do so at any time in the future.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Doesn't that rather depend on what the norm is?
Sounds like the surge referred to in the headline.

Of course it doesn't mean Ireland will be 'swamped' by granny rule immigrants. :rofl:

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Lies, damned lies and statistics. It's the difference between the absolute, relative and relatively relative. An increase of 33% per annum may sound like a lot but when the starting figure is so low in relation to the potential number of applicants then it's still not a lot. In absolute terms it's 128 extra Irish citizens. Since there are an estimated six million Britons with a Irish-born grandparent statistically it's pretty meaningless.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Another way to look at it is whether the admin staff can cope with the extra work ;)

As a civil servant of 30+ years there was never a time where there wasn't a backlog. An increase of 30% would have meant using the floor as well as my desk. :ohmy:

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Well that is another way of looking at it. I can't imagine the Irish Embassy in London has more than half a dozen staff handling consular affairs.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

Perhaps I should add to the load . :sneaky:

Lovely Irish Mum was from Waterford. :wub:

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

If your Mum was born in Ireland then you are already an Irish citizen :) It would be worth registering your children if they don't have any of their own yet so your grandchildren can be registered when the time comes.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

I may apply for mine. If I felt I needed it for an easier move through the EU or wanted to work etc. in a EU country

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

It's a useful thing to have in any case. Irish passports are often seen as 'neutral' if you travel anywhere dodgy.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

I heard a story once about a group of young people from Northern Ireland who were traveling to the US in the late 80's. Things were still quite bad in Northern Ireland. They were going on an exchange program. These were youngsters who had never had passports, and the program leaders were helping them navigate that process.

The young people were advised to apply for an Irish passport rather than British. The advice was given under caution of a possible hijacking of the plane. The students were told that paras would be less likely to shoot hostages who held Irish passports. Brits would likely be shot on sight.

True story.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

I can believe it.

An Irish passport is a much prized asset amongst journalists, particularly those travelling to the Middle East/war zones, as unlike the UK/USA/France, etc.. as it's unlikely that the Irish Air Force had just carpet bombed a nearby village or was occupying the country.

Re: Number of British citizens seeking Irish passports surges in past 12 months
 

:lol: I know I shouldn't laugh, but that was funny.