Passport applications from the UK have almost doubled since the Brexit referendum, it was claimed on Thursday.
Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins says the reality of Brexit appears to be filtering down as first-time passport applications from Great Britain and Northern Ireland continue to increase.
The latest figures reveal that so far this year more than 36,000 British people have applied for an Irish passport.
Over 49,000 people in Northern Ireland have applied for an Irish passport between January and September this year.
He said: “These figures are a clear indication that people across the UK and Northern Ireland have realised how serious the impact of Brexit will be.
“Since the referendum in June 2016, we have seen applications for Irish passports from the UK and Northern Ireland increase from 48,186 in 2016 to 85,517 in the first eight months of this year.
“That’s almost double the number of applications, and there are still another four months of the year left.
“The Irish passport has always been held in high esteem, and it’s becoming obvious that Brexit has compounded the demand as people living in the UK and Northern Ireland become increasingly worried about what impact Brexit will have on their daily lives and their ability to travel.
“I expect these figures will continue to increase over the next few months as uncertainty over a potential no deal Brexit prevails.”
