Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Iarraim chun rud ar leith a luadh a bhaineann le saorántacht ó Thuaidh agus go háirithe le Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to contribute after the allotted time has expired.

I will be brief in raising a matter, as I hope to bring it before the Seanad down the line. It is important for Members to be aware that, currently in the North, particularly post-Brexit, many of our new communities - ethnic minorities who are non-EU citizens - do not unfortunately qualify to apply for Irish citizenship under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. An increasing lobby from our new communities is emerging in the North. I have referred to them as new communities but many of them have been living in the North of Ireland longer than I have been alive. They have contributed greatly to society there through their work and in rearing their families. Many of them have been involved in our peace and political processes in the North.

It would be worth raising with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government that the Government would consider amending the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act to allow our new communities - ethnic minorities who are non-EU citizens who have been living in the North and whose children are entitled to apply for Irish citizenship under the Good Friday Agreement - to be able to engage in this respect in a post-Brexit scenario. There are very serious concerns about their freedom of movement and rights and entitlements post the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union.I will furnish the Leader with the organisations' details. It is a very credible and reputable group of organisations which is lobbying on the issue. We have talked about many anomalies. This shows a very glaring anomaly that could have a severe impact on many families, not least along the Border corridor.