Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2024
2. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details on the use of DNA test results in accessing Irish citizenship; if his attention has been drawn the case of a person (details supplied); if this development has any impact on other people who also have DNA analysis indicating Irish ancestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement when making a first time passport application.
As set out in the Passport Service documentary requirements for all applications on my Department’s website, entitlement to Irish citizenship should be established via the presentation of relevant official documents. In certain exceptional circumstances, the Passport Service may accept DNA evidence for the purpose of establishing a passport applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. Additional documentary evidence is also required before a decision to issue a passport is made.
Such applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the Passport Service and require considerable engagement with the applicant to ensure that the Passport Service is fully satisfied the applicant has demonstrated their entitlement to citizenship through an Irish citizen parent.
