Welfare benefits such as children’s allowance will not bar recipients from Irish citizenship
But those getting unemployment payments or certain housing supports could be blocked under reforms
Immigration
Stories about immigration, migrants of all types into Ireland
New rules for Irish citizenship: How will they work?
Refugee and migrant support groups not impressed with changes
Rules for seeking Irish citizenship to be tightened under proposals due to go to Cabinet
Candidates would have to be resident in the country for eight years and undertake language test under proposed overhaul
Who is ‘Danny Tommo’, the man behind anti-migrant protests on England’s south coast?
Anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth were organised by a hard-right campaigner who was jailed for kidnapping in 2016
Language and citizenship
Citizenship of a country is a privilege. It brings rights but it should also bring responsibilities
‘The Irish are the Brazilians of Europe’: Inside Dublin’s growing community from Brazil
An estimated 60,000 Brazilians live in Ireland, their influence in Dublin plain to see and savour in vibrant cafes, shops and restaurants. Who are they and why do they come – and stay – here?
Ireland set to join EU-Nigeria ‘migrant returns’ pact
Five EU states plan to send migrants to offshore centres next year
The two things that make Ireland expensive: Energy and housing
The drivers of Ireland’s high-cost economy are many but two stand out
Moving to Ireland? The financial realities Americans need to consider
Life in Ireland can feel similar to living in the US, but there are big differences
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni faces a challenge from the right
Macho ex-general calls for a ‘Mediterranean patriarchy’
Irish workers are going to have to work for longer. Politicians should face up to this
This week’s population estimates saw politicians immediately fixate on how big the Dáil should be. But the figures raise far more profound questions
British far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos deported from US to UK
Yiannopoulos was returned to UK after being arrested in Louisiana having failed to appear at an immigration hearing
Last stand against far-right AfD in Germany’s east
An election in Saxony-Anhalt has become a defining test of whether Germany’s mainstream can still hold the line
Trump administration plans to revoke visas of foreigners seeking asylum
Rights groups say crackdown has violated free speech, due process rights
Population rises to 5.5m but the number of births continues to decline
CSO figures show 12% decrease in number of immigrants compared with corresponding period ending in April 2025
‘There is no such thing’: what if the ageing crisis narrative is wrong?
Ratio of retirees to workers is rapidly increasing but for some economists that won’t be as big a problem as has been feared
Why Maga sees Europe as an ideological battleground
From the vice-president down, US officials have cast themselves as being on a mission to save western civilisation from the Continent
Who orchestrated the Ceuta migrant crossing?
Global Briefing: Allowing a rush of people to approach Europe’s borders has been repeatedly used for political purposes
‘If you want to get a job immediately in Brussels, speak Irish and do a law degree’
Wild Geese: Jim Maher, based in Brussels, is one of two deputy spokespersons for the European Parliament
To manage migration, Europe should help African countries improve their citizens’ lives
Worldview: Ceuta exemplifies how political surprises cut through the best diplomatic preparation
Right-wing AfD on a roll ahead of crucial election as it taps into East German nostalgia
Berlin politicians fear Germany’s first AfD-led state could hobble federal co-operation
Netanyahu calls UK ‘the Islamic Republic of Britain’
Relations between UK and Israel have become increasingly strained since Andy Burnham took over as prime minister
What If Reform Wins by Peter Chappell: an enjoyable but horrifying read
The author, a London Times reporter, imagines a chilling future for the UK under a Farage premiership
Spain announces immediate border controls with Italy in migration dispute
Italy says it would not bow to ‘ultimatums or impositions’ from Madrid
Russia-linked accounts spread far-right narrative online during Ceuta crisis, analysis finds
Spanish police and forensic scientists bring in extra staff to identify bodies of 80 migrants who died attempting to reach enclave
EU ministers seek tougher migration response after Ceuta crisis
Minister for Justice says borders are a ‘shared responsibility’ following meeting with member states
Ceuta leader blames Morocco over ‘atrocity’ of mass border crossing after more than 90 die
Stronger EU borders needed after crisis, Ursula von der Leyen says
Ireland convenes meeting of EU ministers to discuss Spain’s Ceuta crisis
More than 50,000 people crossed into the Spanish territory from Morocco on Thursday and Friday
Spain sends extra troops to Ceuta after thousands of people swim into territory
Nine bodies recovered as video shows migrants walking around breakwaters and along beaches of north African enclave
Trump’s most loyal supporters – white working-class men – are becoming disillusioned
Not with his displays of spiteful narcissism, but with rising prices for gas and groceries
We are ‘critical skills’ immigrants to Ireland. Can our adult son move here too?
There are barriers to adult children moving to Ireland
‘It it should be very Irish, not only Catholic, to be welcoming’: Massgoers on immigration
Massgoers in Dublin share their views on immigration. For some, the issue is personal
Miriam Lord’s End-of-Dáil-term awards: Holly Cairns still getting under Taoiseach’s skin
Hissy fits, bust-ups, mortification and demonstrations of backbone as TDs and senators go toe to toe
US to tighten visa regulations for foreign journalists and students
New Trump administration rules limit visas to 240 days for most members of media and 90 days for Chinese nationals
Common Travel Area can’t become an excuse for hard borders on land or sea
Mainstream parties of government should be able to sell the CTA as a way to regulate immigration while minimising internal borders
Homelessness ‘risk’ for hundreds of refugee families sparks exchange between Ministers
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan downplayed concerns of a Cabinet colleague and said refugees were moving to Dublin because of a ‘desire to live in this region’
Dublin Airport passenger cap ignores reality of changing climate
Ireland is now a haven from extreme heat events plaguing other parts of the world
As public opinion toughens on migration, politicians have shifted to the right
New system for assessing the claims of people who arrive here to claim asylum is doing what was intended - turning down most of those who apply
Fast-track asylum system is not the best track
Short-sighted Government decisions have neglected the essential features of a functioning process
Ireland has ‘no immediate plans’ to set up asylum seeker return hubs outside EU – Taoiseach
Netherlands, Denmark and Italy seeking Brussels approval for deportation facilities in Africa or western Balkans
Immigration will increase challenges to the Common Travel Area
Brexit created ‘unrealistic’ expectations in the UK about controlling Border between Nort and the Republic, says academic
The Devoted by Catherine Cho: A ravishing debut novel about sorrows of the heart
As in The Godfather, the characters are bound not just by crime and family, but because they are immigrants
South African anti-migrant protesters march after thousands flee violence
Cities shuttered in advance of anti-migrant protests
US supreme court rejects Trump bid to end birthright citizenship
Judges block president’s executive order that banned citizenship for babies of undocumented immigrants born on US soil
Targeted supports more critical amid a gradual economic slowdown
Marginal reduction in IT employment is probably one of the first manifestations of AI influencing the economy
What should Ireland do as EU president? A to-do list by Fintan O’Toole, Lara Marlowe and others
The EU budget, online safety, Ukraine’s accession, removing red tape from green energy, or neutrality – what should the Government prioritise?
No free lunch for Burnham if he is at the table for UK-EU reset talks
Europe letter: Starmer’s departure offers UK government a chance to ‘reset the reset’ in autumn EU deal
Lesson of Swiss vote may be that Ireland can’t avoid immigration issue forever
Immigration has been vital to Ireland’s economic growth. But, as with Switzerland, it has led to pressures on housing availability and costs
Andy Burnham’s Britain appears to be moving towards reality. What would it look like?
After his resounding byelection victory in Makerfield, what is the so-called King of the North’s vision for the UK if he unseats Keir Starmer as prime minister?
Deportation charter flight to South Africa costs the State at least €735,000
Forty-two South Africans deported at an average cost of €17,500
South Africa struggles to stop anti-immigrant violence
Ghana and Nigeria among countries to remind South Africans of solidarity shown during fight against apartheid
Councillor calls for ethnicity and nationality to be included in crime stats, saying ‘prove us wrong’
Department of Justice project under way to improve collection and strength of data
‘There is fear in my home’: Up to 2,000 attend anti-racism march in Dublin
Event was held in response to recent violent demonstrations and rioting in Belfast
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices