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Language proficiency for citizenship would ensure that applicants have “capacity to contribute to society”, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin made the comments as new rules for people seeking Irish citizenship is set to go to Cabinet this week.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will bring forward plans to change the legislation that will reform the citizenship rules

As part of those changes, people applying for Irish citizenship will have to be resident in the country for eight years, an increase from the current five.

Applicants will also have to prove English and Irish language skills, as well as testing on Irish civics.

Speaking at the Fianna Fáil think-in on Monday, Mr Martin said the changes will bring Ireland into line with other European countries.

“Well, first of all, could I say that more generally on migration I think this Government has made a significant and decisive change,” he added.

“We have a firmer and more robust migration system now, and numbers of those seeking asylum is reducing, and has reduced over the last 12 months.

“In terms of returns, all of that is happening more efficiently and effectively. The European Union Asylum Pact is working, and we’ve been well prepared, and the Minister for Justice well prepared in terms of having the capacity to implement the pact.

“The costs of accommodation in respect of asylum are also coming down very significantly. So that sort of firmer, more focused, targeted response is yielding results on the migration front.

“On the citizenship proposals, this is bringing us more in line with other European Union member states.

“They have been outlined in terms of first of all ensuring that the residency would go from five to eight years, also in terms of language, English language and some very basic Irish language familiarisation would be aspects of that, and an understanding of Ireland, obviously, and the values in our country, and also ensuring that with citizenship comes the capacity to contribute to society to be honest, and that there is that the balance is right between independence, self-reliance, as opposed to total dependency.

“That is right and important for any nation or any country in respect of of citizenship into the future, and so these proposals will come to Government, and we obviously discuss them there and take them forward.”

The proposed legislation further states that time spent living in Ireland as part of the Temporary Protection scheme will not count towards the residency requirements.

Mr Martin said the scheme was “never meant to be a pathway to citizenship”.

He added: “I think it’s fair to say Ireland has been generous in respect of implementing the European Union directive in respect of Ukrainians fleeing war.

“Per capita, we’ve been one of the highest in terms of receiving Ukrainians.

“They’ve made a good, strong contribution to Irish society, and many are working in our economy and obviously, there has to be then hopefully in a post-war situation, because we want this war to end there has to be a proper, rational sort of transition.

“But also bear in mind, Ukraine needs a lot of its people back also in terms of its future, having a critical mass in terms of population, in terms of its future economic needs.”