Irish certificates of heritage to be to rolled out in October

“It is expected that the scheme will be operational by October,” the Minister added. Harmless enough. No worse than the fools who shell out good money for their family's coat of arms or other such nonsense but if you want the smart money better add a carrot, at least. The other comments have some good ideas. Offering tourism discounts along with the certificate may increase sales of both travel and the piece of paper.

I think I've posted this 100 times, so I'll do it one more time: this IS a cool thing. There are lots of us, me included, that qualify for Irish citizenship straight up. BUT!! to have dual citizenship may compromise security clearances, for instance, in the case of my son and SIL. This is a neat compromise. I know I'm Irish, anyone that looks at me can see the map of Ireland all over my face. That's not the point. The point is to have a connection to my ancestors; especially since they were kicked out of Ireland during the famine with only their shirts on their backs. To belong to something is important. I'm an American of Irish descent, I come from a long line of proud military servicemen and still I've been waiting to hear when this certificate would become available. It is a connection to my past - will it buy me a beer cheaper in Ireland? NO!! Will the money it costs to be produced the land of my all my grandparents? Maybe. If you don't like the idea, feck it and move on.

Dear oh dear. I thought junk bond status was bad but the Irish seem to have found a new low. Sad, embarrassing, light-weight, attention-seeking, not-worth-the-paper-it’s-written-on rubbish. Irish certificates or Irish Central? You decide….lol.

No, no, and no!

Careful Antoman, you're describing my wife.

Why not put leprechauns on them, dancing gaily. Why not sell them in pubs. ... You do realize that people will be buying them for their dogs?

I think it's an excellent way for the Irish Government to raise much needed revenue.Will anyone be forced to purchase it?

WTF?????? I have my grandfather's Blackthorn in the corner and my grandmother's collection of (seemingly) 520 rosaries. My other Grandfather was invited to leave Ireland during the Irish Civil War - I don't need a certificate. If Ireland has an obsession on this just submit a 37 marker DNA test - easier and it tells the entire tale.

This 'Certificate of Irishness' has got to be the biggest scam of the decade!!! It's worthless in Ireland! For over 40 years,I have held a full Irish Passport which clearly states that I'm Irish citizen entitled to Irish Consular services anywhere in the world etc. Yet, because I do not possess an Irish accent, I am not regarded as an Irish national when visiting my parent's homeland. The point of this?? Think about it! Don't waste your money!

@Searlit-Do you have short blonde hair,a beer belly and hairy legs?

I would be proud to own this certificate. My family has been proud of the Irish blood that flows through us and I would frame it. My mom's only surviving brother could get an Irish passport through his Irish-born grandmother but the rest of us would find this interesting. I am proud that I am American-Irish.

@ :)

A antoman, I'd send you mine when I get it, except I don't think you would pass for a woman.

@joycean: Maybe a 1000 might be more appropriate. The reason being nobody actually knows the true level of debt Irish Politicians have put us in, social or financial.

Loyal Citizen, I think you fail to see the beauty of this scheme. Ireland claims to have 70million diaspora, only 2 million of which qualify for citzenship under Ireland's rather lax standards, but any who are generations removed, married to someone Irish, or once had a dream they are Irish could qualify for these. Charge say $100 each and pay off the national debt.