Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
48 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has to deal with the situation of the estimated 11,000 parents of Irish born children in regard to his interview for a newspaper (details supplied); when such measures will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32514/04]
View answerFollowing the decision of the Supreme Court in the cases of L and O in January 2003, the separate procedure for considering residency applications based solely on parentage of an Irish born child was brought to an end on 19 February 2003. The Government decided that all outstanding claims to reside in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish born child, as well as future claims for leave to remain in the State from the non-national parents of Irish born children, would be examined and decided on individually. A notice to this effect was published on 18 July 2003.
The amendment to the Constitution following last June's referendum has allowed the Oireachtas to deal with the issue of citizenship for children of non-national parents. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004 is before the Oireachtas. The situation on the ground will not change until the legislation has been enacted and commenced. Any person born in Ireland is still entitled to Irish citizenship. This continues to attract persons with no link to Ireland to seek to come here to acquire Irish and EU citizenship for their children.
I will make my proposals for the future handling of such cases known after the legislation has been enacted. As I have said before, the approach will be based on decency, pragmatism and common sense.
