Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 5

Written Answers. - Information on Irish Citizenship.

Ivor Callely

Question:

83 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the information available on the Internet regarding the obtaining of Irish citizenship; if she has satisfied herself with this information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8301/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

My Department has not as yet provided information on the Internet regarding obtaining Irish citizenship. The Government has decided to publish material on the Internet, but the site is not in action yet. My Department will consider what material it should publish in that context. The Government site is under test prior to launch.

I am aware of the existence, on an Internet site in the University of North Carolina, of a page of information headed "Applying for Irish Citizenship". The information provided under this heading describes the process involved in obtaining Irish citizenship by virtue of having a parent or grandparent born in the State or Northern Ireland.

I have no means of influencing the content or guaranteeing the accuracy of information which others may choose to enter on the Internet. In this instance, there is no source given for the information published.

The information is in itself incomplete in certain aspects. It does not adequately describe the process of foreign births registration or explain the formalities to be complied with for those persons born in, or whose parents or grandparents were born in Northern Ireland. I also understand from the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs that costs detailed in the information may not be accurate.