Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 March 2025
1100. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice when he will announce a new strategic policy committee member; if there is any guarantee that the application of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1101. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice how the citizenship application of a person (details supplied) can be rejected on grounds of a national security threat, when the individual concerned owns an Irish passport and had no issues arise under a personal data request from An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10911/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1100 and 1101 together.
The role of the Single Person Committee (SPC) arises in relation to refusals of Irish Citizenship where national security concerns arise. The role of the SPC is to review, upon request from the applicant, the material upon which the intention to refuse to grant a certificate of naturalisation was made, in circumstances where the basis of refusal is in whole or in part predicated on national security concerns.
The establishment of the SPC is not an appeal process for Citizenship decisions. It introduces a process whereby applicants, whose application for a certificate of naturalisation is the subject of an intention to refuse by the Minister, in whole or in part, on national security concerns, can apply to the SPC for a decision on the disclosure of the information relied on in forming the intention to refuse their application.
I expect to announce the membership of the SPC in the near future; they will be reviewing any remaining open cases.
