Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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19. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will revise the fee charged for a naturalisation certificate; her views that the fee is a barrier to citizens from other European Union states becoming Irish citizens in view of the fact they do not have to renew visas at cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27076/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (SI 569 of 2011). The standard certification fee is stipulated as €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil. There is no provision to waive or reduce the applicable statutory fees. Each application for naturalisation is also subject to an application fee of €175.

The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. Every application must be assessed to establish if the statutory requirements are met. I do not accept that citizens of other EU states are less able to pay naturalisation fees than nationals of other countries. The Deputy may wish to note that there has been an substantial increase in the number of EU nationals applying for and being granted Irish citizenship over the past 3 years. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour.

The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship. Democratic participation by citizens is a cornerstone of our representative democracy and a leaflet informing new citizens of their right to register and vote in all elections in the State and how to register is included in the ceremony packs issued to candidates for citizenship.

All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 are kept under review by my Department.