Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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330. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for the drafting and issuing of a statutory instrument under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to allow citizenship applicants to sign an affidavit of loyalty under temporary Covid-19 measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39355/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced that citizenship ceremonies will be temporarily replaced, while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, with a requirement for citizenship applicants to sign an affidavit declaring loyalty to the State.

I can confirm that work is at an advanced stage in my Department on the preparation of regulations under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to make provision, as a temporary measure while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, for applicants for a certificate of naturalisation to make the declaration and undertaking required under section 15(1)(e) of the 1956 Act by way of a statutory declaration. It is intended that the regulations will be finalised early in 2021 and information on the new requirements will be posted on the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website at that time.

Finally, it is my intention that in-person citizenship ceremonies will recommence as soon as circumstances allow.