Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

By way of conclusion, the Seanadóir said at the outset that this is a hypothetical situation and it does not have any effect yet. It is difficult to be precise about the avenue down which we should proceed in this respect. For clarity, the position of third country nationals who may be residing in Northern Ireland, including those who may have a child or children born in Northern Ireland, is that they currently have no entitlement to Irish citizenship simply by virtue of their residing in Northern Ireland, nor do they have any entitlement to unfettered free movement under the common travel area. In effect, their position as it relates to Irish citizenship remains very much unchanged. I repeat the point that the grant of citizenship remains very much a national competency. There are no current plans to amend the legislation.

The House is aware that it is our intention to maintain the existing arrangements with regard to the UK and the Government position is to protect the arrangements that have been longstanding under the common travel area arrangement between Ireland and the UK. We do not plan to change the current position in advance of knowing; so far as the issue of citizenship is concerned, I believe that Senator Ó Donnghaile will accept the point that we really need to know what the ultimate arrangements will be around the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. Should any issue arise during the course of the negotiations between the UK and the other EU member states, I would be happy to revisit the issue. I would certainly be happy to undertake to keep the House informed of any issues that may arise that may warrant an opportunity to revisit the current arrangements.