Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the procedure a person (details supplied) In County Kildare has to adhere to in seeking Irish citizenship in view of the fact that the applicant has Irish connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A person born outside of Ireland with a parent who was born in Ireland is automatically an Irish citizen by descent.

A person born outside of Ireland with a parent who was also born outside Ireland and a grandparent who was born in Ireland may become an Irish citizen by registration in the Foreign Births Register, which is maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

If a person wishes to apply for Irish citizenship through a great grandparent born in Ireland, the position is more complex. Eligibility depends on one of the applicant's parents, i.e. the grandchild of the person born in Ireland, being already entered in the Foreign Births Register, the date of that registration and the applicants date of birth.

If persons are not entitled to Irish citizenship in these circumstances, they can apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation. Such applications are considered under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The applicant must fulfil certain statutory requirements including requirements in relation to residency. However I am empowered to dispense with the statutory conditions in whole or in part in certain circumstances - for example where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Every such application is decided upon on its individual circumstances and in accordance with the law.