Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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509. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has plans to update the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. [25867/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The legislation in question is kept under ongoing review by my Department.

More specifically, the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before the Seanad, will amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 . The amendments will introduce certain reforms to the naturalisation process for children born in Ireland to parents who are not Irish citizens and to the ‘continuous residence’ requirement for all persons applying for naturalisation. They will also set out clear procedures that will apply where a citizenship application is made on behalf of a child.

The Bill will provide a shorter pathway to citizenship for children born in the State by reducing the residency requirement from 5 years to 3 years.