Stephen Kenny has no intention of badgering players to declare for Ireland.
The new Republic of Ireland boss respects ‘the granny rule’ and will consider anyone who wants to wear the green shirt.
But he won’t waste time with an international tug of war if he doubts the player’s motivation.
“I'm not interested in convincing people to be Irish,” said Kenny.
“It’s the right of the individual player to choose who they want to play for and I’ll certainly continue that policy.
"Emigration has been a massive part of our culture, there's such a strong Irish community throughout the world, particularly in England.
“Thousands of people had to emigrate over the years or move for professional reasons, a lot of their children are brought up in Irish communities.
“They feel that sense of Irishness and that doesn’t make them any less Irish, not for one iota.
“But I do feel there’s a great sense of Irishness in people whose mother and father or grandmother or grandfather have emigrated.
"Sometimes it might happen that players are not aware of their Irishness in a minor way. But I'm not interested in convincing people to be Irish.”
Kenny continued: “I found with Under-21 players, for example, they become aware of the Irishness and you reconnect with family and the town you’re from a bit more.
“You get others who go back on holiday for years and years, and that's a great connection.
“Some players didn't have that, but they can reconnect with family and understand it a bit more and that's perfectly alright as well.
“But it’s up to the individual player to make his own choices - if he wants to play for the Republic of course I’m going to respect that.”
