Ireland is considering plans to bolster its armed forces by incentivising foreign nationals with fast-track citizenship. The proposal is one of several being considered to increase the number of people serving and improve diversity within the ranks.
The Irish Times reports that sources with knowledge of the proposals suggest that foreign nationals could be allowed to become naturalised citizens after a number of years served. Fees of around €1,000 could also be waived under the measures. The Irish Government has committed to increasing military strength from the current 7,750 to 11,500 by 2028, but is not expected to meet that figure.
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The country has less than 8,000 soldiers (Image: Getty)
Failure to meet recruitment targets has led the Irish government to be regularly criticised for risking the country’s security.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said last year: “Morale is appallingly low amongst the rank and file, and it is a source of extreme frustration to see the neglect of the Defence Forces by this government.”
Starting salaries have recently been increased in a bid to attract more people into the military, with a fully trained private soldier starting at £34,800.
There are currently around 250 foreign-born members of the Irish Defence Force, with citizenship not required to serve.
Currently, those who reside in the country, including refugees and EU citizens and non-nationals who have a minimum of three years’ legal and unbroken residency and meet government criteria, are eligible to join, with current troops hailing from more than 30 nations.
The UK also recruits troops from foreign nations, with soldiers regularly joining the British military from countries such as Nepal and Fiji.
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The United States currently allows service personnel to apply for citizenship after one year of service.
Meanwhile, France allows foreign volunteers who serve in the French Foreign Legion and complete three years of service or become injured to become eligible for nationality.
-The move reflects a pivot in Irish cultural trends in recent years ,which has seen the country move from a nation of emigration to immigration.
Net migration in the country has almost doubled since 2022, with around 72,000 people arriving in the country on average each year.
In recent years, the country has taken steps to tighten processes and admission criteria, with new asylum measures announced in November.
Speaking at the time, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “Our population last year increased by 1.6 per cent, seven times the EU average. It is positive that it’s increasing, but the rate is a worry.”
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