Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
208. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if garda e-vetting is conducted for all Section 16 Irish association naturalisation applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38257/26]
View answer209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of approved Section 16 Irish association adult applicants that meet the criteria but did not have the standard five years of reckonable residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38258/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted.
Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions (including the 5 year residency requirement) in certain circumstances. This includes a direct descendant of someone who is or was an Irish citizen (for example, a grandparent), or a family connection to an Irish citizen (blood relative, adopted, civil partner), or related by affinity, meaning a close relationship through a spouse’s family.
Last year my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a). They set out the factors that may be considered when deciding whether to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/
All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under the 1956 Act. As part of this assessment, An Garda Síochána is requested to make enquiries into the applicant’s background; the detail and extent of which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. eVetting and police clearance certificates form part of this assessment.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of approval decisions issued on Irish Association applications since the introduction of the Guidelines in April 2025 is 138, of which less than 5 cases had less than 5 years reckonable residency.
