Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
745. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of foreign nationals naturalised in 2024 who had prior criminal convictions abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act, including the requirement that applicants satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15.
As part of the naturalisation application, an applicant is required to detail all offences, regardless of where an incident occurred, or how long ago, including “spent” convictions. The Act does not provide that a criminal offence in itself precludes the granting of naturalisation.
All adult applicants must undertake An Garda Síochána vetting processes as deemed necessary. As part of the good character 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.
My Department does not collate statistics on the number of people granted Irish citizenship through naturalisation whose application included a report of a criminal conviction abroad. Accordingly, the specific information requested is not available.
I recently received Government approval to make legislative change in this area and among the measures I will be taking is to to clearly define what constitutes “good character” in the naturalisation process. This will clarify the application process for applicants, and the decision-making process for officials.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available on my Department’s Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/[]
