Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
309. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of occasions on which Irish citizenship has been revoked under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 since the enactment of the new revocation procedures; and the breakdown of the grounds relied upon in each case. [53996/26]
View answer310. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases currently under consideration for the revocation of Irish citizenship from naturalised citizens under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. [53997/26]
View answer311. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has commenced, or intends to commence, citizenship revocation proceedings in respect of a person (details supplied); and the current status of any such proceedings. [53998/26]
View answer312. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered the revocation of Irish citizenship in respect of naturalised Irish citizen convicted of terrorism-related offences outside the State; and if he will outline the policy applied in such cases. [53999/26]
View answer313. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the revocation provisions are intended to apply equally to naturalised citizens convicted of offences relating to terrorism, organised crime, or offences against the security of the State, whether committed within or outside of Ireland. [54000/26]
View answer314. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he has considered, or intends to consider, exercising his statutory powers to revoke the Irish citizenship of a person (details supplied) insofar as that person is a naturalised Irish citizen and the statutory criteria are satisfied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54001/26]
View answer315. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has conducted a review of all naturalised Irish citizens convicted of terrorism offences, or offences involving support for terrorist organisations, with a view to assessing whether citizenship revocation proceedings are appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54002/26]
View answer316. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will publish updated guidance on the exercise of the statutory power to revoke Irish citizenship, including the factors taken into account in determining whether revocation is in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54003/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 316, inclusive, together.
I can advise the Deputy that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific circumstances of the cases referred to.
The grounds for the revocation of citizenship are 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, 8 people have had their citizenship revoked, this includes two revocations since 7 April 2025.
My Department actively reviews cases relating to terrorism, fraud and organised crime with a view to assessing whether citizenship revocation proceedings are appropriate.
