As the Brexit drama unfolds, we have been inundated with queries from the UK regarding people waiting to receive the birth certificate of an Irish relative so they can apply for an Irish passport.
We are working through the huge voulme of applications presently but the volume of applications is unprecedented
However some applicants seem to be particularly anxious to obtain their certificate because they are under the impression that they must apply for the Irish passport BEFORE the UK leaves the EU.
It is worth taking note that the Irish State has always allowed people to apply for an Irish passport through providing proof they have descent through having a relative born in Ireland.
This service was offered BEFORE the UK voted to leave the EU.
It will continue to be available after the UK leaves the EU.
It will continue to be available if the UK does not leave the EU.
It will continue to be available if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
And it will continue to be available if the UK leave the EU without a deal.
So don’t panic – as Dad’s Army’s Lance Corporal Jones used to say, because there is no closing date for applications for Irish passports.