Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1440. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if special consideration will be given to applications for citizenship of UK citizens in the wake of Brexit; and if applicants that have been resident here for a substantial amount of time have their applications fast-tracked and pay a reduced fee in view of the special and distinct relationship between both countries. [19610/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.

There are no provisions in the Act or the accompanying Regulations to apply different criteria depending on the nationality of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity. Also there are no provisions for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities or classes of applicant.

It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship 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 and pay the appropriate fees.