Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2022
301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the correct procedure to obtain Irish citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46509/22]
View answerThere is no record of the person referred to by the Deputy having submitted an application for naturalisation. The person cited can apply in the normal manner and have that application assessed in line with the criteria.
There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the nationality of the applicant.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have five years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is three years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 6 weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family or holiday purposes.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
