New citizenship rules 'will be difficult for some people'

A 22-year-old man who has received Irish citizenship at a ceremony in Dublin has said new citizenship rules which have been brought to Cabinet "will be difficult for some, but hopefully not too difficult."

Adrian Egbukaohia moved to Ireland from Venezuela when he was two years old and applied for citizenship when he became an adult.

"I'm about 20 years now waiting for the citizenship," he said.

Rules around getting citizenship are set to be tightened under new legislation brought to Cabinet by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.

They include an increase in the requirement of residency in the country, rising by three years, from five to eight years.

A language proficiency test, some knowledge about Irish society and proof of economic self-sufficiency are also expected to become requirements under the new legislation.