The Irish government has announced plans to introduce a certificate of Irish heritage for up to 70 million people of Irish descent around the world who do not qualify for citizenship. The certificates will be issued by a third party agency acting under licence from the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is considering charging a fee for each document issued.
The certificates are not intended as proof of Irish citizenship. Instead, they are certificates of Irish heritage.
The certificates are not intended as proof of Irish citizenship. Instead, they are certificates of Irish heritage.
The exact size of the market for a heritage certificate is not known. But it is anticipated that many descendants of Irish emigrants would wish to buy one to display in their homes or as gifts for their children.
You can read more in an article by Paul Cullen published in the Irish Times web site at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0621/1224272953828.html
