Speech
Speech delivered by Mr Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, at the Citizenship Ceremony in INEC Killarney, 2 March 2020
By: Minister for Justice;
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By: Minister for Justice;
Published on
Last updated on
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great privilege for me to be here with you in Killarney, on the day on which Irish citizenship will be formally conferred on you in a simple but solemn ceremony.
I am sure you were all as uplifted as I was to hear the rendition of “Ode to Joy” by the Army Band as well as the lovely performance our guest Harpist. They add so much to the occasion, on what is such a special and indeed moving day.
I extend a warm welcome to you, the candidates, sitting directly in front of me, who will shortly become Ireland’s newest citizens.
Together with your family and with your friends here today we join with you in celebrating this major event in your life.
Becoming a citizen of one’s country goes to the essence of democracy and constitutional principles – principles which, as a Minister of this government, I have the honour to uphold.
Today, you will take an oath of fidelity to our nation and loyalty to our State. You will do so in the knowledge that this relatively young State – still less than a century since our independence was gained - is a place of culture where traditions are cherished and history is ever-present.
Be sure, too, that this State is a place of diversity and openness.
The people of Ireland are committed to respecting all traditions on this island equally. We also recognise that developing a greater understanding of our shared history, in all its diversity, is essential to developing greater understanding and building a shared future… a future which, notwithstanding the political developments across the water, we intend to be at the heart of the European family of nations.
It is important, however, that we do not become complacent. We must continue to keep integration to the fore.
Back in 2017 this government launched a new Migrant Integration Strategy which provides the framework for Government action on migrant integration for the years 2017 to 2020.
The strategy addresses the challenges that we anticipate in the years ahead and is aimed at all new comers to our shores as well as at our own citizens. Its primary objective is to ensure that barriers to full participation in Irish society are identified and addressed and the basic values of Irish society are respected by all. Ultimately, it’s about building a society where we all live in harmony while at the same time respecting our cultural or religious differences.
The dignity and solemnity of today’s ceremony is greatly enhanced by the presence of Judge McMahon, while the presence of the Colour Party under the command of Lt Matthew Kennedy, also underlines the solemnity and importance of the ceremony.
Judge McMahon will perform the role of Presiding Officer and will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State – this is the final element of the application process and without it you cannot become an Irish citizen.
Over the course of today and tomorrow, almost 5,000 new citizens will be welcomed to the Irish family.
Since the introduction of Citizenship ceremonies 9 years ago, over 120,000 persons from every continent, every region and more than 180 countries have become new citizens of Ireland.
It is truly remarkable that this tiny island at the edge of Western Europe facing into the Atlantic Ocean which is home to us all has, as its citizens, as members of the national family, people who came to live with us from every country on this planet. I think we all deserve a round of applause for that….
You are now beginning a new journey and a new phase of your life.
As a new Irish citizen, you will of course be able to do the things which are reserved for citizens…get an Irish passport, vote … but while those things might be important, at a much deeper level you are doing something else…. You are affirming your commitment to the values we cherish most and which are rooted in our history.
You are also affirming your support for our sense of mutual responsibility to one another as citizens of this country.
After today you will have the same rights, the same duties and the same responsibilities as every other Irish citizen. We ask you, as we ask all our citizens, to participate actively in our communities, to be good citizens, and to uphold the law.
This is a serious request, as the pledges you will make, are serious and solemn pledges. On behalf of the Irish people, I ask that you do your utmost to uphold them. And in turn, I assure you that, by our laws and our traditions, we commit to continue recognising your personal rights as individuals in a proud nation which values inclusion, tolerance and diversity.
Your presence at this ceremony today marks the end of the process to citizenship.
As you leave here today, as proud new citizens of this Republic and constitutional democracy, our history is your history and, in turn, the narrative of your life is now part of our history.
The possibilities now open to you are almost limitless; perhaps one day, you or a child or grandchild of yours, could be up here as a Government Minister, or as a Judge, or perhaps the President of Ireland.
My earnest wish for each and every one of you, as you embark on this new phase, is that it will be a journey full of hope and optimism leading to a bright new future as members of the great Irish global family.
So can I congratulate you, one and all, on becoming our newest Irish citizens – we welcome you to our national family.
I now formally introduce Judge McMahon and call upon him to administer the declaration, in which you publicly declare your Fidelity to our Nation and Loyalty to our State as well as undertaking to faithfully observe the laws of the State and respect its democratic values.