Two-thirds of people are in favour of welcoming those moving to Ireland to make a better life for themselves.

That’s according to a new poll from the Migrants Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), which carried out the survey in July.

It also found that 70% of people believe that undocumented migrants should be given the chance to come forward and legalise their status.

Welcoming country

MRCI campaign manager Neil Bruton welcomed the poll’s findings.

“This poll shows that people in Ireland believe that those who move here enrich our communities and societies,” he told Newstalk.

“Ireland is kind of known around the world as a welcoming country.

“It’s a country that knows the migrant experience possibly more than any other and I think this poll really drives home that the majority of the public here value migration.”

Members of the public pass tents belonging to asylum seekers along the Grand Canal, as news reports indicate the number of tents has now increased to above 100. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

The survey also found that 88% of people feel a fee of less than €100 is a fair price for a migrant residence permit, in comparison to the current €300 fee.

Mr Bruton said it was time to review the fee.

“The majority of migrants have to pay every year, and we're looking for it to be reduced to a more reasonable level,” he said.

“Clearly, the vast majority of the public also agree with that sentiment. It's not that the fee will be scrapped but that it should be something fair and reasonable—something that people coming here to work, study, and live would be able to afford, so that it doesn't place an undue burden on their lives.”

Migrant documentation

Mr Bruton also said there needs to be a means for undocumented migrants to acquire documentation.

“There is very strong support for people who are undocumented,” he said.

“We saw 69% support for regularisation, which means a safe way for people who are undocumented to come forward and secure stable status,” he said.

“The support was for those who come forward to do that, as long as they could show they've been living and working here long-term.”

The survey revealed that 65% of people believe that those who come from outside the EU to work in Ireland should be allowed to bring their immediate family with them.

Main image: Asylum seeker tents along the grand canal, 29-05-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNew