Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
840. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status and-or expected eligibility in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned applied for a right of residency accompanied by a right to work based on their parentage of an Irish citizen child.
I am informed that the person concerned was requested to provide reliable DNA evidence confirming the child's entitlement to Irish citizenship. DNA evidence is requested in circumstances where (i) doubts exist as to a particular child's entitlement to claim Irish citizenship and (ii) doubts exist as to the biological relationship between a child and parent. It is a measure used by INIS, on a regular basis, to ensure that the integrity of the State's immigration system is protected.
The onus is on individual applicants to obtain such DNA evidence in cases where, without it, they cannot satisfy the INIS as to the parentage of an Irish citizen child. While my Department cannot compel any person to obtain DNA evidence to prove parentage of an Irish citizen child, it may refuse to grant a right of residency in circumstances where it is not satisfied as to the child's entitlement to Irish citizenship.
The Deputy will be aware that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
