Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2018
100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding passports and foreign birth registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20844/18]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade us responsible for processing applications for Irish citizenship via descent and determining entitlement for eligible applicants to be entered on the Foreign Birth register under the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts. This is a very important and onerous matter, and my Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in this area. State-issued photographic identification forms an essential part of the documentary requirements for all applications for Foreign Birth Registration, and this is clearly stated on my Department’s website and on the application form for Foreign Birth Registration.
The statutory basis for the documentary requirements is set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956-2004 and in the Foreign Birth Regulations 2013 (S.I. No 47 of 2013).
When an application for citizenship is being made on behalf of a minor, the requirement for photographic identification is not only important in relation to our duty to protect the integrity of the Irish citizenship process and to minimise the risk of fraud, but also in safeguarding against child abduction and trafficking.
With regard to the particular individual case which the Deputy has raised, I would invite the Deputy or the citizens in question to make contact with the Deputy Director of Consular Services, with responsibility for Foreign Births Registration, who will be happy to discuss the matter further. She can be contacted on 01-4082572. My officials will endeavour to provide all possible information to this family in order that they are fully aware of what they need to do to comply with the documentary requirements necessary for entering the birth of a minor in the Foreign Births Register.
