Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are that the applicant is of full age, or is a minor born in the State; is of good character; has had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, has had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; intends in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; has made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

"Applicant" means, in relation to an application for a certificate of naturalisation by a minor, the parent or guardian of, or person who is in loco parentisto, the minor. In effect, the parent, guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the minor must submit an application for naturalisation in their own right and, if it is approved, submits a supplementary form on behalf of the minor.