Speech by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the Citizenship Ceremonies, Convention Centre

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Good morning, everyone, agus fáilte romhaibh go léir!

It’s truly an honour to join you today at the Convention Centre to celebrate this very special occasion in your lives.

Citizenship ceremonies are filled with positivity and hope. A moment of happiness in what is a busy and complicated world.

It’s not the first time I have attended one of these ceremonies but it is the first time in many years. I know from previous attendances it really is great to see the pride and joy on people’s faces as they become Irish citizens for the first time. An occasion that you can remember and tell your families about for years to come.

I am joined by Judge Paddy McMahon as the Presiding Officer of today’s Ceremony. He will administer the declaration of fidelity to our nation and loyalty to our State, and officially confer on you, Irish citizenship.

The presence of the Colour Party under the command of Lieutenant Robert McCurtin underlines the significance and importance of this ceremony and provides a sense of occasion. It’s very special to have our National Flag on display here today.

Thanks also to the Army No. 1 Band conducted by Captain Tom Kelly. The Army Band adds so much to this occasion – please give them a round of applause.

Ireland, like pretty much every country in the world, is a nation formed by migration. Celts, Vikings, Normans, people from Britain, people from Europe, and now people from all over the world, have helped to shape our nation.

And over the centuries, millions of Irish people were forced or chose to leave these shores for various different reasons.

Our collective understanding of what it means to be Irish is constantly evolving. It reflects our experience as a democratic State, and the experiences of Irish people throughout our history.

As citizens of Ireland, you will now be part of our efforts to shape the world around us. We are a very small island on the edge of Europe, but we are very much an island at the centre of the world. We have always dared to think big as a people – promoting our shared values of peace, justice, democracy, individual liberty, free enterprise and human rights.

We have influence, and we have a responsibility to exert that influence, especially now in a world filled with so much conflict and injustice.

In the past three decades, we have witnessed a real transformation in the makeup of Irish society and an evolution in the values of our people. That has been reflected in changes to our constitution, our laws and our society.

As many of you will know, I am the son of a migrant; my father is a naturalised Irish citizen, originally from India. My story, in 1980s Ireland, was an uncommon one. I was the only child in my primary school classroom who was a person of colour, and the only guy with a funny surname.

My father is a doctor from India… my mother came from a farm in Waterford. Both were economic migrants in England and planned to move to America, but they chose to move to India before coming back here to Ireland. I could have been born in any of these four countries. But I am so glad that I was born and raised here in Ireland. This is a great country, one of the best in the world, and I am grateful for all of the opportunities it has given me. I believe in this country, in its people and I will always try to make it better.

We have a State which has succeeded time and time again despite major challenges… domestic and global… over the past century.

Our State is not perfect, but it is driven by the same spirit of idealism and hope that was here one hundred years ago.

People from all around the world, like all of you here today, have arrived to make Ireland your home.

Each of you has your own story to tell.

Some of you arrived looking for a safe haven. Others economic opportunity. Some to live in an inclusive and progressive society.

Some followed a loved one.

Whatever your reason, you are very welcome and you belong here.

As you probably know, migration and debates about it have become centre stage in Irish politics in the past few months. That was inevitable. We are a normal European country and it was always going to become a matter of significant debate. It’s not something we should be afraid of. We should have that debate and it should be honest, open and well informed. And we should never tolerate any racism seeping into that debate.

I believe that migration, in the round, has been a very good thing for Ireland. Indeed we need it, it is essential. When I visit hospitals and nursing homes all over the country, I see the most diverse workforce caring for our sick and our elderly. Our public services simply would not function otherwise. When I go to some of the big businesses not far from here, I see a hugely diverse workforce too, and I know those big companies wouldn’t be in Ireland if we didn’t welcome talent from all over the world in the way that we do. And those big companies pay the billions in tax that fund our pensions, our welfare state and build our schools and houses. I see diversity too in the shops and in the restaurants.

There has been very significant demographic change in Ireland in recent years. Some people fear that and they don’t understand it. It’s important that we don’t dismiss their fears, but rather we should try to allay their fears and reassure them with accurate information.

We have a system of migration in Ireland that is rules based. People from the UK and Ireland are entitled to live here, as has been the case for over a hundred years. And it is great to see that the fourth largest nationality becoming Irish citizens here today are UK citizens, who will become dual nationals. We have people who come here from all over the European Union and for 25 years we, and now you, as European citizens, have the right to live, work, study and do business anywhere in the European Union.

We have people who come here on work permits – about 20,000 per year, depending on the year, people who we need to fill roles in our public services and work in our businesses. We have people who have come here from Ukraine and also people who seek international protection.

There are rules, those rules are followed, and it’s important that we demonstrate to the public that those rules are implemented.

As citizens, you have passed every test we have set for you. Almost all of you are here for five years or more. You have put down roots. You have made an enormous contribution to our society. Your citizenship is not a gift. It is something that you have earned and something that you deserve.

Becoming an Irish citizen should not mean giving up your own identity. We want you to bring your culture, your history, your traditions and your sporting ability from your homeland with you. By sharing them with us, Ireland is richer for it. We will add them to our own heritage and traditions, our poetry and our songs, and they will become part of the next chapter in our nation’s history.

As the old Irish saying goes Ní neart go cur le chéile – there is strength in unity. The word ‘citizen’ in the Irish language is different to the English language - ‘saoránaigh’. It is based on another Irish word ‘saor’ which means ….. ‘free’.

I hope today’s ceremony gives you the confidence and optimism to achieve your dreams and be part of Ireland’s success story.

As leader of the Irish Government, and on behalf of all your fellow Irish citizens, thank you for choosing Ireland.

I now introduce Judge McMahon and call upon him to administer the declaration, in which you will publicly declare your Fidelity to our Nation and Loyalty to our State … As well as undertaking to faithfully observe all the laws of the State and respect its democratic and liberal values.

Thank you and congratulations - comhghairdeas!