Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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265. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in relation to residency requirements for acquiring Irish citizenship, specifically for long-term residents with UK passports who wish to become Irish citizens; if an appeal mechanism is available when applications are refused due to time spent outside of the State in a given period; if an appeal of a decision can be made to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49820/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

Full details of the eligibility criteria, along with the relevant application forms and extensive guidelines are available on the Citizenship pages of my Department's Immigration Service website at www.inis.gov.ie.

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 I know the Deputy will appreciate that it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I can advise the Deputy that there is no provision under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, for an appeal in relation to applications for naturalisation. However, it is open to a person to re-apply if they they are subsequently in a position to meet the statutory requirements.