Seema Malhotra

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I thank the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell) for securing this debate about the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024. I am grateful to him and to others who have campaigned on this issue, notably Lord Hay of Ballyore and the right hon. Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson). I also commend the hon. Member for East Londonderry on his long history of engagement; I found it very interesting and helpful to hear how he has progressed his arguments throughout his time in the House. I note all the contributions so far and thank all Members who have contributed to the debate today. I put on the record my thanks to the right hon. Member for Belfast East, who is not here today, for his steps in bringing the Act before the House in December 2023. His constructive engagement with all parties has been extremely important in bringing the passage of the Act to its conclusion. I was also grateful to meet him earlier this year, when I said that I would do my best to try to ensure that we commence the Act before summer recess. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to do so and I am also very happy to continue our engagement on it. Last week I was in Northern Ireland, where I was pleased to announce the commencement of the Act, which introduces a new section into the British Nationality Act 1981 to make it easier and cheaper for Irish citizens living in the UK to become British citizens, and it applies across the whole of the UK. The 2024 Act strengthens the relationship between our nations and recognises our shared history, geography and cultural links. While I was in Northern Ireland, I had the opportunity to speak to Cool FM and to The Irish Post to highlight the commencement of this historic piece of legislation. I have spoken to many people who said they wanted to see us commence this Act because of how it recognises those shared cultural, historic and geographical connections. However, it is also important that Irish citizens who want to become British citizens should have a simpler pathway, which recognises that Irish nationals are treated differently from other nationalities for immigration purposes, as codified in section 3ZA of the Immigration Act 1971. Again, that must be viewed in the context of our historic relationship. The new route represents that unique relationship between our two countries and builds on the common travel area arrangements that have benefited citizens of both nations for decades. It will enable eligible Irish nationals who have made their home in the UK to participate fully in British society while maintaining their Irish citizenship. The Act that was introduced into the House of Commons by the right hon. Member for Belfast East initially sought to allow for people born in Ireland after 31 December 1948 to register as a British citizen if they had acquired five years’ residence in Northern Ireland. However, the previous Government and Home Office officials worked alongside the right hon. Member to expand the scope of the initial act to cover Irish citizens of any age. The Government were pleased to continue the work of the previous Government in commencing the Act following the general election in July last year. Like the previous Government, we wholeheartedly support the underlying principles of the Act and have given due consideration to its different components.