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Naturalisation Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Ceisteanna (756)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

756. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14366/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed individually in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under that Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.

There are no provisions in the Act or the accompanying Regulations to apply different criteria depending on the nationality of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.

Applicants are required to have 5 years residence in the state prior to making an application. The final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 6 weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family or holiday purposes.

Section 16 of the 1956 Act, as amended, provides discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (defined as related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).

There is no right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined. This discretion is used very rarely and only under the most exceptional and compelling circumstances.

It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and to provide such further information in support of that application.

Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/.

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