Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

502. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will introduce an appeals system for refusals in naturalisation cases; the reasons such a process does not exist at present in view of the financial outlay by applicants for citizenship. [48800/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and there is no right to citizenship through naturalisation under Irish law, irrespective of how long an applicant has resided in the State. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended provides that the Minister for Justice has absolute discretion to grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation where certain conditions for naturalisation are satisfied.

There is no provision under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended for appeal of a decision to refuse an application. However, the appropriate remedy for an applicant, whose application for a certificate of naturalisation has been refused, and who wishes to provide additional supporting information is to lodge a new application. That may be done at any stage. The application fee of €175 payable upon lodging an application for a certificate of naturalisation is designed to recoup some of the costs associated with the application process which arise whether the application is successful or not.