Bernard Durkan
Question:52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a person (details supplied) qualifies for an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18250/19]
View answerThursday, 18 April 2019
Questions (52)
Written answers
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Matters in relation to citizenship fall under the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality.
It is not clear from the information provided if the individual in question is an Irish citizen. In the absence of such information, it is not possible to give specific guidance but it may be helpful to set out the ways in which an individual can demonstrate a claim to Irish citizenship.
The citizenship of persons born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 is determined by the citizenship or residency status of one of their parents at the time of the person’s birth.
An individual born on the island of Ireland before 2005 or born to a parent who was born on the island of Ireland before 2005 is automatically an Irish citizen.
A person born on or after 1 January 2005 may claim citizenship by birth where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four preceding his/her birth (a total of 1,095 days).
Individuals born outside of Ireland can also claim citizenship through a parent who was not born in Ireland but was an Irish citizen at the time of the individual's birth, or through a grandparent born in Ireland. Individuals who wish to claim citizenship through these means must have his/her birth entered on the Foreign Births Register (FBR). Citizenship commences after inclusion on the FBR. Further information regarding the process can be found on the Passport Service's website.
Irish citizenship can also be acquired through naturalisation. Minimum residency terms must be satisfied before an individual is eligible to apply. Where a child born in the State did not have an entitlement to Irish citizenship at birth, the parent or guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the child may lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied.