GB demand for Irish passports doubles post-Brexit vote

The Brexit vote took place on 23 June and since July, there have been 21,549 Irish passport applications from people living in Great Britain

The number of applications for Irish passports from people living in Great Britain has almost doubled since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

New figures from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs show that between July and September the number of GB applications rose by 96%.

There were 3,431 applications in September 2015, compared to 7,518 in September 2016.

Year-on-year applications from Northern Ireland have also risen since the vote.

They have increased by two-thirds in the three months since the Brexit decision.

119% rise in September

In terms of numbers, there have been 15,757 applications from people in Northern Ireland since July, compared 9,401 in the same period last year.

The Northern Ireland-only figures show demand was strongest at the end of the summer:

• 63% rise in July

• 79% rise in August

• 62% rise in September

In Great Britain, the trend has been upwards over the past three months:

• 73% rise in July

• 104% rise in August

• 119% rise in September

There have been 21,549 Irish passport applications from people in Great Britain since July, compared 10,959 in the same period last year.