Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
865. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the eligibility for naturalisation on the basis of marriage to an Irish citizen in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54799/22]
View answerThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. 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 5 years legal reckonable residence in the state prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 legal years.
There is no record of an immigration permission for the person details supplied and where a person is in the State without an immigration permission I encourage them to contact the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or their local immigration office and to take all the appropriate steps to regularise their status.
Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application. In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally.
The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) examines each application to remain in the State on a case-by-case basis and has consistently urged anyone in this position to come forward if they wish to apply to regularise their immigration position in the State.
