Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on changing the residency requirements for naturalisation to residency on the island of Ireland as opposed to residency just in the State (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39443/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, sets out the law governing citizenship of Ireland. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process.

In relation to citizenship through birth in the island of Ireland where the child is born to non-nationals, the Act specifies certain residence requirements to be met immediately preceding the birth of the child. Citizenship through naturalisation on the other hand is based on the individual having the required lawful residence in the jurisdiction of this State.

The provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 were amended having due regard to the Good Friday Agreement and I have no plans to further amend the Act at this time.