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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Citizenship Applications.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

635 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if spousal entitlement will be available to the spouses of citizenship applicants for applications made before November 2002. [20338/02]

A person is entitled to make a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship if he-she is married to an Irish citizen – who is Irish other than by naturalisation, post-nuptial citizenship or honorary citizenship – for at least three years. The marriage must be valid and subsisting and the couple must be living together as husband and wife at the time of declaration. The post-nuptial process is being repealed with effect from 30 November 2002. By way of a transitional provision, persons who are married to Irish citizens before that date but fail to satisfy the three year criterion at that time can make the declaration after that date upon completion of three years of marriage. The transitional provision will cease to apply on 30 November 2005.

It is also open to any non national to apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation. Such applications are considered under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 2001 and the granting of a certificate of naturalisation is at my absolute discretion. The applicant must fulfil certain statutory requirements, including requirements in relation to residency. However, I am empowered to dispense with the statutory conditions in whole or in part in certain circumstances, for example where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Every such application is decided upon on its individual circumstances and in accordance with the law. It should be noted also that the statutory residency requirements for persons who are married to Irish citizens will be reduced from 30 November 2002 in view of the fact that post-nuptial citizenship will no longer be available.

More detailed information on citizenship matters and the relevant application forms can be obtained by telephoning the Citizenship Helpline, Lo-call No. 1890 551500 on any Tuesday and Thursday morning between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

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