Easier access to citizenship is among several proposals to boost Defence Forces numbers and increase diversity within the organisation. Photograph: Alan BetsonThe Government is examining plans to fast-track citizenship for immigrants who complete military service in Ireland. According to the latest Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which was published on Tuesday by the Department of Defence, proposals for fast-track citizenship applications for military members are undergoing “further evaluation”. The Government has committed to increasing military strength from the current 7,750 to 11,500 by 2028, a target it is all but certain to miss. Offering military personnel a path to citizenship was one of the recommendations contained in the 2022 Commission on the Defence Forces report.

Source: The Irish Times February 10, 2026 19:45 UTC