'Certificate of Irishness' plans receive mixed global reaction

Mark Hilliard

Brian Cowen launching the Farmleigh economic forum

Plans for the introduction of Irish heritage certificates have attracted international reaction.

Correspondence obtained by the Sunday Tribune reveals wide-ranging reflections on the concept that many of the estimated 70 million people with Irish lineage may qualify for a 'wall-mounted' certificate.

The idea for a certificate acknowledging Irish heritage came about at last September's Global Irish Economic Forum at Farmleigh, which cost the taxpayer €331,500.

A policy document from the Irish embassy in Washington suggested a "certificate of Irish ancestry which, while having no legal standing as such, would constitute official recognition for many people of their familial and emotional connection to Ireland".

While the exact conditions are still unclear, the Department of Foreign Affairs intends to run the programme on a one-year pilot basis before expanding it to five years.

Potential recipients would pay a fee for the service and would have to provide evidence such as a birth certificate or documentation relating to baptism, death, marriage and the ownership of land.

The scheme may include a credit-card style membership card "which would entitle the bearer to discounts at Irish tourist attractions", according to the department.

The move attracted significant attention, with letters arriving from potential applicants and critics, even one from an army officer claiming his entire division would qualify.

One member of Fianna Fáil wrote to the department saying: "I do hope that the same [tourist] discounts will apply to those of us living on this island too – I would envisage a serious PR backlash if there were a two-tier system set up… with Irish people faring worse."

One enthusiast noted that offering all-out citizenship should not be beyond consideration as "in conversation with Irish cousins, we've been saying it's a grand pity we have to stay divided by historic decisions and circumstances".

A critic of the proposal wrote: "I just read about your decision to introduce a certificate of Irishness. To be honest, I cannot think of anything more crass and cheap and ultimately demeaning to the Irish diaspora."

October 24, 2010

Comments

#1 Maui Pete commented, on October 24, 2010 at 6:53 p.m.:

Be more generous in giving those with Irish blood passports and those Irish living abroad a vote in Irish elections as is done in the U.S.. Not that will make a difference but it scares the crap out of the 'powers' that be.

#2 David Walker commented, on October 24, 2010 at 8:49 p.m.:

We can all buy a certificate off the internet that says we were kings and lords once but what good is it to anyone. There is an certificate already, its called a passport and its time the Irish government took their responsibilities to their citizens seriously. I agree with Maui Pete, give Irish passport holders abroad the vote which is our right, as laid down in our constitution. It is also our right to live in our own country and systems should be put place for our repatriation and resettlement. As someone said Irish politicians are not aliens, they are a reflection of Irish society, before the crash they weren't interested in us but now it's all about reaching out to the diaspora (how I hate that word). It looks like pretty soon Ireland will just be a giant theme park owned by the EC and Cowen will go down as one of the worst Irish leaders ever, so who cares what he says.

#3 Mick commented, on October 25, 2010 at 2:38 a.m.:

The sense of one's heritage, and the pride placed in it, is very much a personal thing. Creating a system that has the potential to divide the diaspora into 'those who do and those who do not' could be counter-productive.

Ultimately it is about how an individual feels.

The ability to locate ones ancestors birth certificates, for example, should not be the defining criteria for establishing who has the right to celebrate their heritage.

There are many 3rd, 4th and 5th generation Irish descent who express their pride far more than recent generations, and if handled incorrectly some who value that connection may well end up feeling excluded, and unfairly so.

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