Citizenship Applications

Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Questions (835)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

835. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following his signing of the commencement order on 7 April 2025 reestablishing the power to revoke naturalised Irish citizenship under Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024; if he will provide an update on the number of revocation proceedings initiated since the process was recommenced; the number of cases currently before a Committee of Inquiry; whether any certificates of naturalisation have been successfully revoked to date; if he will outline the specific criteria and thresholds being applied to determine cases of fraudulent acquisition of citizenship and cases involving a serious risk or threat to the State; the resources and staffing allocated within his Department to administer the revocation process; whether his Department has any intention to expand these criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30147/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The grounds for the revocation of citizenship are set out in as set out in section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended).

Changes to this process were made by the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024; these changes were required to address issues identified in a Supreme Court judgment that had found the then revocation process to be unconstitutional. Amendments to the process of revocation of citizenship came into effect from 7 April 2025 and the revised provisions can be found at revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1956/act/26/section/19/revised/en/html

Under the new procedure, where the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration decides to revoke citizenship, they may do so under the five grounds set out in the 1956 Act. A notification of this intention is issued to the individual, who will be provided with the opportunity to make representations, and has 28 days to so, before a decision is made to revoke their certificate of naturalisation.

Following receipt of those representations, or on expiry of the 28 days, if it is decided to proceed to revoke the certificate of naturalisation, then the individual has 14 days in which to request a Committee of Inquiry. Upon receipt of this request, the Minister will appoint a Committee of Inquiry, which will be composed of a chairperson who will be a retired Judge of the Circuit Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court, and two ordinary members with appropriate experience and qualifications. The Committee of Inquiry will be independent in its function of inquiry into the Minister's decision and can either affirm the decision or set it aside.

In the last 10 years, this power has been used eight times with one person having their citizenship revoked since 7 April 2025.

A number of units within my Department may be involved in revocation cases and any necessary resources are provided as required.