Published on Monday27thJune2016

No change to Irish Passport Entitlements following Referendum

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Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan who today affirmed that there was no change to Irish Passport Entitlements following Fridays referendum result

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has moved to reassure UK passport holders with an entitlement to an Irish passport that these entitlements have not changed as a result of Thursday’s referendum outcome.  He further stated that UK passport holders would continue to enjoy EU rights for the foreseeable future until a formal exit was negotiated between the UK and the EU. 

Speaking in advance of Dáil statements, Minister Flanagan stated: 

The increased interest in Irish Passports clearly points to a sense of concern among some UK passport holders that the rights they enjoy as EU citizens are about to abruptly end.  I want to state clearly that this is not the case.  The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union but it has not yet left.  It will take some time for negotiations on a British exit to conclude; Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty envisages a two year negotiation process once the Article is triggered, while many speculate this could take longer.  During this period, the UK remains a member of the European Union, its citizens continue to fully enjoy EU rights including free movement of people within the EU.  At the same time, the referendum has not in any way changed the entitlement to an Irish passport which extends to those born on the island of Ireland and those claiming citizenship through parents or grandparents born in Ireland.

An unnecessary surge in applications for Irish passports will place significant pressure on the system and on turnaround times and is likely to impact those with a genuine need for passports to facilitate imminent travel plans.  

My Department is closely monitoring the situation with respect to the impact on applications and the deployment of Passport Service staff and other resources.

See the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website for information on passport entitlements and procedures.