In my reply to Question 117 on 27 March, 2012, I stated that applications, made on behalf of the person in question, were refused under the Passports Act 2008 on the grounds that he is not an Irish citizen. This remains the position. I also stated that the Passports Act 2008 requires, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before the Minister for Foreign Affairs can issue a passport to that person. It is, therefore, incumbent on each applicant to demonstrate, through the submission of documentary evidence, his/her entitlement to Irish citizenship.
In this particular case, no such entitlement has been demonstrated in respect of section 6A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. I would, therefore, suggest at this stage that the parents of this child should pursue the question of their child's entitlement to Irish citizenship with the Department of Justice and Equality, which is responsible for such matters. In the event that such an entitlement can be established and thereby demonstrated, the parents should then apply for a passport submitting the relevant and new evidence of the child's Irish citizenship.