Vol. 539 No. 1
373 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure for UK citizens (details supplied) living here for over five years to apply for Irish citizenship; if there are any special arrangements for UK citizens; the process for applying and the process the applicant should consider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19021/01]
Applicants for naturalisation, irrespective of their existing nationality, must comply with the statutory conditions as set out in section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended in 1986. These conditions are that an applicant must be of full age; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residence in the State immediately before the date of the application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; and have made, either before a judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
The relevant application forms, together with an explanatory leaflet detailing the required supporting documentation, may be obtained from the citizenship section of my Department. A telephone helpline number – 01-6028202 – operates every Tuesday and Thursday morning between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.
