Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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318. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a public register of post-nuptial citizenship certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39293/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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319. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the register for post-nuptial citizenship is available for public inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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320. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the exact date that his Department started issuing post-nuptial certificates for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39295/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 to 320, inclusive, together.

The acquisition of Irish citizenship on marriage (post nuptial citizenship) was provided for under Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. This provision was however repealed under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2001 with effect from 30 November 2002, but with the saver that the provision would continue to apply to a person being a non-national who, before 30 November 2002, marries a person who is, or who after the marriage becomes, an Irish citizen (otherwise than by naturalisation, post nuptial citizenship or as a token of honour) and who makes a declaration of post nuptial citizenship before 30 November 2005.

The 2001 Act also amended the 1956 Act by the inclusion of a new Section 15A which provided that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant a certificate of naturalisation to a spouse of an Irish citizen providing certain statutory conditions, such as residency requirements, are met. This Section was further amended in 2011 to include civil partners of an Irish citizen.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the exact date on which post nuptial certificates first issued is not available, nor is there a public register of post nuptial certificates issued.

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.