Immigration Policy Reform
We, the undersigned of the Irish nation, hereby petition the Government to hold an ‘ordinary’ national referendum, in accordance with the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution, to establish a lawful, sustainable, and democratically accountable immigration policy.
We propose that the following constitutional provisions be placed before the Irish people for approval in a referendum:
- Net Zero Immigration Mandate:
The State shall adopt a policy of net zero immigration, whereby annual legal immigration shall not exceed the number of people emigrating from the State, including humanitarian admissions as defined by law. In any event, immigration shall not exceed 0.5% of the national population, whichever is lower.
- Emigrant Return Incentive Policy:
The State shall prioritise the return of Irish emigrants by providing support measures including housing assistance, tax relief, and other reintegration supports to encourage their return and long-term settlement.
- Work and Spousal Visa Restrictions:
Work and spousal visas shall be limited to essential skill roles only. A five-year, non-renewable residency cap shall apply, unless citizenship is lawfully acquired. Visa holders shall have no entitlement to State welfare or public housing during this period.
- Remigration of Non-Nationals on Long-Term State Benefits:
The State shall implement a remigration policy for non-nationals who remain wholly or primarily dependent on State welfare for a continuous period exceeding two years. Remigration shall be carried out in a manner consistent with due process, human dignity, and international obligations, and may include support for voluntary return.
This petition is grounded in Article 6 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which declares:
“All powers of government, legislative, executive and judicial, derive, under God, from the people… whose right it is, in final appeal, to decide all questions of national policy.”
