Written Answers Nos. 105-117
106. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding statistics with regard to human trafficking; the way in which these statistics are obtained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16023/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics with regard to human trafficking are collected by my Department from An Garda Síochána, and also from non-governmental organisations and international organisations in Ireland who have experience in providing services to suspected victims of human trafficking.
The statistics are collated and checked across a number of variables, to avoid double-counting, and are presented in annual reports issued by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department. These reports, dating from 2009, together with other information on human trafficking, are available on the website www.blueblindfold.gov.ie. The 2015 Annual Report has recently been finalised and will shortly be available online.
107. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a review will be undertaken and consideration given to the case of a person (details supplied); if the application for a family reunification visa will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned has been informed of the decision in relation to their application for family reunification in the letters issued to the person on 5 July 2013 and 10 July 2015. The permission for family members to join persons who have been admitted to the State as Programme Refugees is a matter for the discretion of the Minister for Justice and Equality. In exercising this discretion, and to ensure consistency of approach in processing applications for all refugees, the principles applicable to Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996, (as amended) have been applied to applications received from Programme Refugees. Section 18 of the Act does not provide for a review of these applications.
As I understand the person referred to by the Deputy is now an Irish citizen it is open to her apply for family reunification under the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, which is available on the INIS website, www.inis.gov.ie.
108. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to each station, division and department in the Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16054/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
This plan is on track to be achieved. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
I am advised that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, there has been a total intake of some 1,400 new recruits with another 600 scheduled to enter the College by the end of this year. I am informed by the Commissioner that some 839 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 750 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 700 in the total Garda strength since recruitment recommenced.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Dublin Divisions, in the coming years.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.
I am informed by the Commissioner that as of the 28 February 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, the strength of each Garda Division, District and Station in the Dublin Region, was as set out in the following tables.
|
DMR East February 2017 |
||
|
District |
Station |
Total |
|
Blackrock |
Blackrock |
90 |
|
Dundrum |
84 |
|
|
Total: |
174 |
|
|
Dun Laoghaire |
Cabinteely |
32 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
117 |
|
|
Shankill |
60 |
|
|
Total: |
209 |
|
|
DMR East Total: |
383 |
|
|
DMR North February 2017 |
||
|
District |
Station |
Total |
|
Balbriggan |
Balbriggan |
67 |
|
Garristown |
2 |
|
|
Lusk |
10 |
|
|
Skerries |
9 |
|
|
Total: |
88 |
|
|
Ballymun |
Ballymun |
124 |
|
Dublin Airport |
20 |
|
|
Santry |
78 |
|
|
Total: |
222 |
|
|
Coolock |
Coolock |
106 |
|
Malahide |
30 |
|
|
Swords |
72 |
|
|
Total: |
208 |
|
|
Raheny |
Clontarf |
67 |
|
Howth |
26 |
|
|
Raheny |
74 |
|
|
Total: |
167 |
|
|
DMR North Total: |
685 |
|
|
DMR North Central February 2017 |
||
|
District |
Station |
Total |
|
Bridewell |
Bridewell |
162 |
|
Total: |
162 |
|
|
Fitzgibbon Street |
Mountjoy |
190 |
|
Total: |
190 |
|
|
Store Street |
Immigration D/Docks |
3 |
|
Store Street |
265 |
|
|
Total: |
268 |
|
|
DMR North Central Total: |
620 |
|
|
DMR South February 2017 |
||
|
District |
Station |
Total |
|
Crumlin |
Crumlin |
103 |
|
Sundrive Road |
59 |
|
|
Total: |
162 |
|
|
Tallaght |
Rathfarnham |
63 |
|
Tallaght |
186 |
|
|
Total: |
249 |
|
|
Terenure |
Rathmines |
64 |
|
Terenure |
78 |
|
|
Total: |
142 |
|
|
DMR South Total: |
553 |
|
|
DMR South Central February 2017 |
||
|
District |
Station |
Total |
|
Donnybrook |
107 |
|
|
Irishtown |
49 |
|
|
Total: |
156 |
|
|
Kevin Street |
Kevin Street |
121 |
|
Kilmainham |
72 |
|
|
Total: |
193 |
|
|
Pearse Street |
Pearse Street |
290 |
|
Total: |
290 |
|
|
DMR South Central Total: |
639 |
|
|
DMR West February 2017 |
||
|
District |
Station |
Total |
|
Blanchardstown |
Blanchardstown |
148 |
|
Cabra |
62 |
|
|
Finglas |
108 |
|
|
Total: |
318 |
|
|
Clondalkin |
Ballyfermot |
85 |
|
Clondalkin |
90 |
|
|
Rathcoole |
18 |
|
|
Total: |
193 |
|
|
Lucan |
Lucan |
74 |
|
Ronanstown |
97 |
|
|
Total: |
171 |
|
|
DMR West Total: |
682 |
|
109. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles assigned to each station, division and department in the Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that Garda Fleet information for DMR Region as at 3 April 2017 is in the following table:
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4X4 |
Others |
Total |
||
|
Marked |
Unmarked |
||||||
|
D.M.R. REGION |
166 |
218 |
103 |
45 |
13 |
17 |
562 |
|
DMR EAST DIVISION |
26 |
12 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
55 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
35 |
45 |
31 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
116 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION |
20 |
35 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
73 |
|
DMR SOUTH DIVISION |
26 |
38 |
16 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
85 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION |
19 |
23 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
61 |
|
DMR TRAFFIC DIVISION |
9 |
8 |
3 |
31 |
3 |
1 |
55 |
|
DMR WEST DIVISION |
31 |
57 |
18 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
117 |
The responsibility for the efficient deployment of official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational requirements.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides a significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet.
The investment in the Garda fleet will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
110. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were stationed in Stepaside Garda station in each of the five years prior to its closing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles that were assigned to Stepaside Garda station in each of the five years prior to its closing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16057/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters.
The Deputy will be aware that Stepaside Garda Station was located in the DMR East Division and was closed in 2013 as part of the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme which was implemented during 2012 and 2013.
Details of Garda personnel allocated to the station for the period requested by the Deputy are set out in Table A.
The Fleet Strength for the DMR East Division for the years 2009 to 2013 are set out in Table B. The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer who can allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational requirements.
TABLE A
|
Number of Garda personnel allocated to Stepaside Garda Station 2009 – 2013 |
|||||
|
Year |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Up to March 2013 |
|
Total |
32 |
31 |
29 |
39 |
2 |
TABLE B
Number of Garda vehicles allocated to DMR East Division 2009 - 2013
|
CARS |
VANS |
M/BIKES |
4X4 |
Others |
|||
|
Marked |
Unmarked |
Total |
|||||
|
2009 |
17 |
23 |
10 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
57 |
|
2010 |
18 |
18 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
55 |
|
2011 |
15 |
18 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
52 |
|
2012 |
17 |
18 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
52 |
|
2013 |
15 |
18 |
12 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
50 |
112. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have been arrested for dealing tablets since January 2017; the number charged; and the number before the court in the Dublin metropolitan region and outside it. [16060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the data sought in the time available for reply.
However, I have requested the Garda authorities to provide the requested information and I will write to the Deputy again when the report is available.
113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which the Medical Bureau of Road Safety notified An Garda Síochána of discrepancies between its figures for breath tests performed and Garda figures; the person or body within An Garda Síochána this information was passed to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16068/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drink driving tests carried out between 2012 and 2016, in addition to the previously reported figures for such testing, by year and Garda district, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the involvement of the Garda traffic corps in the false tabulation of the figures that have emerged with regard to the controversy over breath test statistics and fixed notice fines. [16112/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the detail of the figures related to the roadside breath testing issue and the fixed notice fines from each Garda division, on a regional basis, in tabular form. [16113/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Garda Commissioner failed to inform the Policing Authority of the emerging circumstances since 2014 surrounding the system for recording roadside breath tests. [16115/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which An Garda Síochána discovered the discrepancies in the figures for roadside breath tests. [16116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the State of the administrative errors on the part of An Garda Síochána with regard to the issuing of 14,700 fixed notice fines. [16117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her officials received correspondence, communications or information from An Garda Síochána concerning the eventual discovery of inflated breath test results; and the chronology of these communications. [16119/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the solutions An Garda Síochána arrived at to resolve the problems that emerged through the audit of the roadside breath tests. [16120/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the underlying problem and the way in which An Garda Síochána arrived at the solution to the problem of the recording of roadside breath testing, in view of the fact that a solution was implemented in November 2016. [16121/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mandatory alcohol testing, MAT, checkpoints and breath tests respectively in each division in each of the years from 2011 to 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16594/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 115 to 117, inclusive, 119 to 121, inclusive, 123 to 125, inclusive, and 142 together.
The Deputies will be aware that on 28 March 2017 I made a detailed statement to the House on these matters and endeavoured to answer a range of questions which were put to me.
I can inform the Deputies that since then I have written to the Chairperson of the Policing Authority in accordance with section 62O(6) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 (as amended) to report to me on its oversight of the issues which have arisen in relation to fixed charge notices and mandatory alcohol testing over the coming period. In particular, I requested that an investigation should be conducted to examine all issues arising, addressing to the extent possible the reasons why the issues have arisen; the incidence and scale of the issues; and the solutions implemented to ensure there is no recurrence. It is expected that the Authority will engage outside expertise to carry out this work.
Deputies will appreciate that I need to await the conclusion of the Authority's work in this area before I can give a comprehensive and verified response to some of the issues raised in these Questions.
An anonymous complaint was made by a person claiming to be a member of the Garda reserve in the Western Region to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), outlining a number of issues which included the operation of Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints.
The RSA forwarded the correspondence to the (then) Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, who wrote to the Garda Commissioner in April 2014. He copied the correspondence and the letter to the Commissioner to Minister Shatter on 11 April, 2014. Minister Shatter wrote to the Garda Commissioner on 16 April, 2014 seeking a full report on the findings of an examination of the allegations.
An Garda Síochána indicated in a detailed response to my Department in May 2014 that they had looked into the claims regarding MAT checkpoints in the Western Region and they were satisfied that correct procedures were in place to account for MAT checkpoints that ultimately did go ahead and those which did not proceed. The response was general in nature.
The report indicated that further enquiries were to be conducted, and accordingly the Garda Commissioner was asked by my Department on 18 August, 2014 for an update on this matter. A further Garda report on 8 January, 2015 indicated that it was not possible to consult with the author as they had not been identified and that, given the circumstances, the matter could not be progressed.
Following a submission of these reports to me on 21 January 2015, a letter issued to the Garda Commissioner at my request, asking that the Commissioner consider whether there was scope for issuing any further instructions from Garda management re day-to-day operations in relation to MAT within An Garda Síochána.
In response to that letter, a further Garda memo was received dated 2 March 2015. It indicated that the Assistant Commissioner Traffic had been directed to issue an instruction regarding monitoring the mechanisms in place surrounding the operation of MAT checkpoints.
On 10 June 2016, An Garda Síochána notified my Department that, following an audit of the Southern Region in respect of data from the period 2009-2014, discrepancies had been identified in the breath test data held by An Garda Síochána on the PULSE system and, consequently, in the data published on the Garda website. That same month, An Garda Síochána directed that a National Audit should take place of all the data recorded on the Garda PULSE system relating to the number of roadside breath tests conducted at MATs in each Garda Division. This audit covered the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2016. A notice to this effect was published on An Garda Síochána's website in June 2016. In February this year, An Garda Síochána indicated to my Department that the full results of the breath test statistics' audit would be available by the end of Quarter 2 2017.
As regards An Garda Síochána's communication of the concerns surrounding the system for recording roadside breath tests to the Policing Authority, I would refer the Deputies to An Garda Síochána's public comments on this matter.
Insofar as the issues concerning Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) are concerned, my Department was first made aware of a number of errors relating to the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) on 10 June 2016. In a press statement issued on the same date, An Garda Síochána confirmed that it had commenced a review of prosecutions in relation to all fixed charge offences. The letter from An Garda Síochána in June 2016 indicated that a number of steps had been taken by them to ensure that no further summonses could be issued in error. They had issued an instruction to the Garda Information Services Centre not to issue any more summonses for not having an NCT certificate and an instruction to all members to (i) withdraw any prosecutions based on summonses which issued where a fixed charge notice should have issued, or where one had already issued and had been paid and (ii) refamiliarise themselves with the FCPS Policy and Procedures manual. They indicated that they were working on a short term IT fix which would be ready within four weeks to ensure that a reoccurrence could not occur and were developing a long term IT solution which would be ready for a PULSE release towards the end of 2016. They also indicated in the letter that in order to establish the extent of the situation, each District Officer had been asked to supply additional information and that the extent of the issue would not be known until that additional information had been received.
An Garda Síochána subsequently provided a further update to my Department on 14 March 2017 in relation to its review of the errors surrounding fixed charge notices. The letter indicated that the review of all summonses issued in respect of fixed charge notices for the period 1 January 2014 to 27 May 2016 had been completed and that, following consultation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a review of all such summonses dating back to the introduction of fixed charge notices in 2006 was under way.
As the Deputy is aware, the full statistics in relation to the FCN review for the period dating back to 2006 were presented by An Garda Síochána at its press conference on 23 March 2017. In addition, An Garda Síochána also presented at that press conference, for the first time, the figures in relation to the huge disparity between the number of breath tests conducted at MAT checkpoints as per PULSE records, compared to the number of test kits used. The Deputy will appreciate that no further statistics / statistical breakdowns in relation to either issue are available at present.
The Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it has put solutions in place to deal with the procedural and practice issues that have been detected to ensure that such errors do not recur. Specifically, I have been assured by An Garda Síochána that a permanent and comprehensive IT solution is now in place to cover the majority of FCPS issues identified and An Garda Síochána is satisfied that the errors that occurred cannot be repeated. In the case of breath tests / Mandatory Alcohol Testing, I am informed that An Garda Síochána initially put in place new paper based recording and verification processes, and, in November 2016, a new specific data recording IT upgrade was installed on the Garda PULSE system. The net effect of the new IT upgrade was that personnel now have to record the serial number of the device used for each breath test plus the meter reading before and after the checkpoint was concluded. Data from the device is now used to verify the total number of breath tests conducted at each checkpoint.
Insofar as the 14,700 people convicted of road traffic offences in court following the incorrect issuing of a summons are concerned, An Garda Síochána has indicated that it is establishing a dedicated support helpline for members of the public with queries in relation to their case. An Garda Síochána is also writing to all affected members of the public, explaining what has happened and outlining the solution to rectify the situation. An Garda Síochána has indicated that it has been advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions and Courts Service that these 14,700 cases must be brought back before the Courts at Circuit Court level with a view to requesting that the erroneous convictions can be set aside. An Garda Síochána has established a dedicated team to this end and is liaising with the Court Services to expedite this process. As such, members of the public affected by the road traffic enforcement errors referred to are requested to await the aforementioned correspondence from An Garda Síochána which will provide further clarification on the matter.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is unclear at this stage what the total cost to the State of the incorrect issuing of summonses to 14,700 people by An Garda Síochána will amount to, as the level of penalties imposed on the people convicted on foot of a summons issued to them arising from an erroneous procedure is not yet known. Many persons convicted (correctly) for a number of offences may have had the offences arising from the erroneous procedure simply taken into consideration, with no additional penalty being imposed. However, persons who were fined, following a conviction for an offence that they should not have received a summons for, will have to be repaid. It is not possible at this stage to estimate the potential cost. I have already outlined that An Garda Síochána is actively engaging with the Courts Service in relation to progressing these important matters.
The Deputies will be aware that in addition to outlining the issues, how they had come to light, and the remedial steps taken so far, at her press conference on 27 March 2017 the Commissioner:
- announced the restructuring of traffic policing with the creation of a new Roads Policing Unit to be led by Assistant Commissioner Mick Finn;
- announced the creation of a dedicated team under newly appointed Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan to investigate in detail the MATs issue, including with a view to identifying and holding responsible for their actions any Garda members, whether at junior, supervisory or management level, who acted improperly; and
- committed to forwarding the report of this investigation to the Policing Authority and Department of Justice and Equality when completed.
Assistant Commissioner Finn outlined new arrangements agreed with the Medical Bureau on Roads Safety (MBRS) to the effect that body would supply An Garda Síochána with its data on breath-testing devices on a quarterly basis, in order to ensure an independent benchmark against which Garda data can be measured. The MBRS will shortly be tendering for new breath testing equipment. New equipment which is available in the market place has the capacity to record the time, GPS location and number of persons breath-tested, and has the capacity to download the information automatically reducing the chances of errors occurring in the data.
Insofar as other specific information has been sought by Deputies it has not be possible to compile this in the time available but I am seeking this information from the Garda authorities and will communicate further with the Deputies.
In light of the level of public concern, the Government has today approved the commencement of a process to establish a Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Government has reaffirmed the need for the extensive reform programme already underway within An Garda Síochána to continue, and to ensure the work of the oversight bodies is not impeded by the establishment of a Commission. I set out in my statement earlier today some of the issues that I believe should be addressed. Drafting of the Terms of Reference will involve consultation with opposition parties and relevant statutory bodies including the Policing Authority, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman and the Garda Inspectorate and I intend to begin these consultations immediately. Once this consultation process has been completed, I will return to Government with proposals for the establishment of the Commission and draft terms of reference.
114. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the referendum result in June 2016 and the triggering of Article 50 for Brexit the status of foreign nationals residing permanently in Northern Ireland whose children were born on the island of Ireland and are citizens; if it is the case that even though these children qualify for Irish citizenship their parents will be treated differently; and if the same citizenship rights apply to foreign nationals who reside in Northern Ireland as to foreign nationals who reside here. [16069/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, sets out the law governing citizenship of Ireland. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process.
In relation to citizenship through birth in the island of Ireland, where a child is born to non-nationals the Act specifies certain residence requirements to be met immediately preceding the birth of the child. Citizenship through the naturalisation process on the other hand is based, among other things, on the individual having the required lawful residence in the jurisdiction of this State. The Act requires a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application for naturalisation and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a further total residence in the State amounting to four years.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation is available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration (INIS) website at www.inis.gov.ie.
The status of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland is solely a matter for the UK authorities, including where the person may have a child who is an Irish citizen.
