Michael Ring
Question:26. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify the entitlement to an Irish passport for a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14484/24]
View answerTuesday, 9 April 2024
Questions (26)
Written answers
All passports are issued in accordance with the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Under the 2008 Act, a passport cannot be issued to a person unless the Minister is satisfied as to the identity of the person and that the person is an Irish citizen. The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, (“the 1956 Act”), which is under the responsibility of the Minister for Justice.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have no role in relation to entitlement to Irish citizenship, which is a matter for the Minister for Justice.
A child born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005, whose parents have been given a refugee declaration by the Minister for Justice under the International Protection Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”) may be entitled to citizenship in accordance with section 6A(1) of the 1956 Act.
Section 6A(1) of the 1956 Act provides that a person born in the island of Ireland after 1 January 2005, may claim citizenship if a parent of that person has, during the period of four years immediately preceding the person's birth, been resident in the island of Ireland for a period of not less than three years.
Therefore, a child is entitled to Irish citizenship if the residency requirements of the parent (refugee or otherwise) as set out in section 6A (1) the 1956 Act are met, and in those circumstances, a passport will issue to that child (subject to the usual requirements set out in the Passports Act 2008 which govern the issuing of passports to children).
Further information on entitlement to Irish citizenship is available from the Minister for Justice.
Question No. 27 answered with Question No. 11.