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Citizenship Applications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004

Tuesday, 6 April 2004

Questions (269)

Willie Penrose

Question:

360 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria and condition which a person from New Zealand who has lived here for the past five years, is in the course of purchasing a house here and is marrying an Irish girl, must satisfy in order to obtain a certificate of naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/04]

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Written answers

On the assumption that the person concerned does not have Irish antecedents, and since he is not yet married to an Irish citizen, it would appear that naturalisation would indeed be the appropriate course for him to obtain Irish citizenship.

Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended in 1986 and 2001, sets out the requirements for naturalisation. These conditions are: an applicant must be of full age; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of the application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; [section 16A of the said Act provides that no period of residence shall be reckoned in respect of which an applicant does not have my permission to remain in the State or has been granted permission to remain for the purposes of study or has been seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act 1996]; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; and have made, either before a judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State. Further information and the necessary application forms may be obtained from my Department's website —www.justice.ie — or by telephoning the citizenship section helpline on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lo-call 1890 551 500 or (01) 6167700.

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