Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans in respect of advising UK citizens living here about their citizenship status once the Brexit negotiations are complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32053/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The outcome of any Brexit negotiations will not affect the citizenship status of persons, including UK citizens, residing in the State. It is however open to any individual who may wish to become an Irish citizen to lodge an application for citizenship through naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the grant of citizenship through naturalisation. The statutory conditions are that the applicant must -

- be of full age,

- be of good character,

- have 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, have had a further total residence in the State amounting to four years,

- intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation,

- have, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows -

(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and

(ii) undertaken to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.

Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation.Under Irish law it is possible for an Irish citizen to hold dual citizenship; the acquisition of Irish citizenship is not contingent on the renunciation of the citizenship of another jurisdiction.

As the Deputy is aware, it is our intention to maintain the existing arrangements with regard to the United Kingdom, and the Government position is to protect the Common Travel Area arrangements. As outlined, the grant of Irish citizenship is a national competency and there are no current plans to amend the legislation. There are also no plans to change the current position regarding the Common Travel Area in advance of knowing what will be the ultimate arrangements relating to the UK withdrawal from the EU. Should an issue arise in this area during any negotiations between the UK and the other EU member states, the position will be revisited at that stage.