The number of people in Northern Ireland who have applied for an Irish passport has surpassed the number who have applied for a UK passport for the first time.
New figures for 2020 reveal that 48,555 citizens in Northern Ireland applied for a UK passport in 2020 – 356 fewer than those who opted for an Irish passport (48,911).
Sinn Féin Leader in the Seanad, Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile, said the data strengthens the case for an Irish passport office in the north.
Speaking today, Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile said: “The government must accept the clear need for people living in the north to have access to infrastructure locally during their application. This is simply common sense.
“I will raise this issue with Minister Coveney again, to highlight to him the importance of delivering on this issue as a matter of priority.”
