Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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342. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1000 of 17 January 2024, if he will report on the progress made developing new guidelines on the requirements for Irish association applications for citizenship based on Irish descent or associations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10501/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that I intend to publish the guidelines for Section 16 naturalisation applications in the coming weeks.

These new guidelines are being developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making. They will provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers on what factors may be considered when deciding whether to waive such naturalisation conditions under section 16 of the Act.

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).

Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.