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Migrants and supporters rally outside Leinster House over proposed citizenship bill

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland · Nov 3, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Nov 3.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Migrants and supporters gathered to protest proposed government changes to Irish citizenship rules.
What they want
Demonstrators demanded that the proposed citizenship reform bill be completely scrapped.
What changed
Nov 3: Migrants, families, and advocacy groups rallied outside Leinster House as the Justice Committee considered the bill.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Scrap the proposed citizenship reform bill entirely
  • Reject the extension of residency requirements from five to eight years
  • Remove proposed wealth conditions and salary thresholds
  • Drop bans on citizenship applications for those who received social welfare or state housing

Organised by: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland

What authorities say

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan previously described the proposals as "reasonable" and stated that "citizenship is a privilege, not a right," while maintaining that aligning with other EU member states is appropriate.1

The full story

Members of the migrant community, families, and supporters gathered outside Leinster House in Dublin on November 3, 2026, to protest proposed changes to Irish citizenship under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026. Organised in part by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), the demonstration coincided with the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider the legislation. Protesters condemned provisions that would increase the residency requirement from five to eight years, introduce wealth conditions and salary thresholds, mandate language testing and civics exams, and disqualify applicants who received social welfare or state housing in the preceding two years. Speakers argued the policies treat migrants as mere units of labour and scapegoat them for government failings, while supporters urged TDs and Senators to scrutinise and scrap the bill.

Timeline

  1. Migrants and supporters gathered outside Leinster House to protest proposed changes in the citizenship amendment bill.123

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