Now Irish passports in demand ahead of Brexit poll

THE threat of a British exit from the European Union is driving a rise in applications for Irish passports, a British newspaper has reported.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there has been a rush for British-born people applying for Irish passports.

On February 20, Britain’s prime minister, David Cameron, set a referendum on the country’s membership of the EU for June 23.

Since then the number of British-born people applying for Irish passports has risen sharply.

Between 2014 and 2015, the number of adults born in England, Scotland or Wales applying for their first Irish passport on the basis of having an Irish grandparent increased by more than 33%, from 379 to 507, according to figures released to The Guardian.

Applications from those with one or more Irish parents rose by 11% in the same period, from 3,376 to 3,736.

In the previous year, applicants in both categories fell slightly.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party will be campaigning to remain in the EU ahead of the referendum this summer.

The UUP is the final Stormont party to declare its position, and it follows a motion passed by the party executive yesterday.

‘The Ulster Unionist Party believes that, on balance, Northern Ireland is better remaining in the European Union, with the UK government pressing for further reform and a return to the founding principle of free trade, not greater political union.

‘The Party respects that individual members may vote for withdrawal on the 23rd of June,’ the motion read.

The DUP, Traditional Unionist Voice and UKIP are in favour of a Brexit, while Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Alliance and the Green Party are in favour of staying in the European Union.