Peadar Tóibín: Yes. It is an aberration that Ireland does not have a language proficiency test for new citizens

Ireland is the only country in the EU where you can become a citizen without speaking the language. All the other member states see the benefit of ensuring those naturalised are capable of communicating effectively with others. It is an aberration that we do not have a general language proficiency test in English or Irish for applicants as a basic requirement.

Irish citizenship offers legal rights, democratic rights and legal protections. It confers in legal terms Irish nationality to a person, and it makes them part of the Irish family.

It is incredibly valuable and important and should not be treated lightly. It must be awarded carefully. Not to do so is to degrade the privilege.

Its awarding confers rights, and with rights there are duties. Citizens have a legal duty to obey laws and a civic duty pay taxes, communicate independently and contribute to a cohesive society.

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There is a cost to the State, to the community and to the immigrant themselves of not being able to speak English or Irish (literally, as well as figuratively – the cost of interpreters in hospitals, courts and Garda stations is very significant.)

The citizenship bar has been too low in this country. There have been record numbers of applications for Irish citizenship and high numbers of citizenships granted. Last year, there were 24,698 citizenships conferred. This figure has multiplied over the past decade – in 2019 and 2020, there were only about 5,000. Citizenship is prized and should have weight and meaning.

It is possible to have a compassionate policy, a humane policy, yet a strict policy.

We want an integrated society. To integrate, you have to........

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