Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2024
75. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to recently naturalised Irish citizens being prevented from registering to vote due to delays in receiving their certificates of naturalisation; if he is concerned about this barrier to participation in the democratic process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9640/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register. It is their duty, as far as possible, and with the cooperation and engagement of the public, to ensure a complete and accurate register of electors.
While every resident over 18 is entitled to be included on the register of electors, it is a person's citizenship that determines the electoral events at which a person may vote.
The Electoral Act 1992 as amended, provides for a process by which a person who becomes a citizen of Ireland can apply to the local authority to have his or her name entered in the register of presidential electors.
In each case it is a matter for the person to satisfy the registration authority that they are a citizen of Ireland by providing such information and documents as the local authority may require and the Act provides that this may include a certificate of naturalisation or a valid passport issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs or a statutory declaration that they are a citizen of Ireland. The issuing of certificates of naturalisation is a matter for the Minister for Justice.
