Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1026. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all applicants applying for asylum or protection in Ireland are required to provide a birth certificate and photo identification. [29748/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced.

The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process in general. When it comes to international protection applicants, each person is requested to provide personal documentation to the International Protection Office at the time of application, to attest to their identity, nationality and date and place of birth. Many applicants provide the documents that they have brought with them, but some applicants are not in a position to provide identity documents.

All applicants that enter the international protection process are fingerprinted and photographed. These fingerprints are checked against EURODAC, an EU database which stores the fingerprints of asylum applicants and those who have been found to cross borders illegally.

In addition to checks specifically on those applying for international protection, each and every person arriving at a port of entry in the state is subject to Schengen Information System (SIS) check. Under this system Ireland sends and receives SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) on persons and objects; for example persons wanted for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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1027. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of recommendations 5 and 6 of the breaking down barriers implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29749/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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On 18 September 2024, the LRSA published its Breaking Down Barriers report, which included 32 recommendations with the aim of improving equity of access and entry into the legal professions and achieving greater diversity. Stemming from this, the LSRA prepared a detailed plan to implement those recommendations over a two-year period.

The Barriers Implementation Working Group has been established to progress this and is chaired by the CEO of the LSRA. The group comprises LSRA staff and senior nominees from the three legal professional bodies, namely, the Law Society of Ireland, the Honourable Society of King’s Inns and the Bar of Ireland.

In March 2025, the LSRA submitted its first Breaking Down Barriers Implementation Plan Progress Report, noting progress in 12 recommendations with implementation tasks due for Q4 2024 / Q1 2025. This was the first of six-monthly progress reports to be provided to me, as Minister, in respect of the Barriers Implementation Plan.

I look forward to further progress on this issue being made in the coming months and years. All LSRA reports are available on the Authority’s website (www.lsra.ie/).

In relation to the specific recommendations referred to by the Deputy, both are for the LRSA to progress in conjunction with the Bar of Ireland. Recommendation 5 states that the LSRA and the Bar of Ireland should explore innovative solutions to develop appropriate financial supports for barrister pupils, including undertaking an analysis of a minimum payment for barristers within their year of pupillage.

To progress this recommendation, the implementation plan notes that the Bar of Ireland will formally engage with the LSRA by Q3 2025 and that the Bar will prepare a report for the LSRA by Q4 2025, analysing the minimum payments for barristers who are in their first year or “pupillage” at the Bar. A timeline for the implementation of potential supports is to be identified by Q1 2026.

Recommendation 6 states that the Bar of Ireland should allow pupils to undertake their pupillages with barristers whose practices are not predominantly Dublin based. The implementation plan states that the recommendation is to be implemented, or an alternative proposal to be identified and implemented before the start of Michaelmas new law term in 2025.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1028. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department is accepting affidavits as identification for naturalisation. [29758/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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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. People considering applying for naturalisation are required to provide a range of supporting documentation which demonstrates their identity and residency in the State.

Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks take place on each application. Documents provided by applicants must be true copies, certified by an appropriate witness such as a practising solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, Peace Commissioner or Notary Public. Guidelines on applying for naturalisation are available to applicants on my Departments Immigration Service www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Citizenship-Guidance-Document-April-2024.pdf. These guidelines outline in detail the necessary documents to be submitted in support of a naturalisation application.

I can advise the Deputy that when passports and other documents are submitted, they undergo anti-fraud checks, and instances of suspected fraud are referred to An Garda Síochána.

Applicants that are unable to provide identity documentation may make a sworn affidavit setting out in detail the reasons that they are unable to provide the required identity documentation.

This affidavit, along with all the other documentation submitted, are then assessed to determine if an applicant should be granted citizenship in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1029. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to support an application by a football club (details supplied) under the immigrant investor programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29918/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications.

Since the closure of the programme, my Department has continued to process and submit applications to the Evaluation Committee for consideration and recommendation.

The relevant unit in my Department is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.

The unit communicates with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with an IIP application in relation to how the terms of the programme may apply to their particular project. It also engages with projects and monitors them for their compliance with the IIP requirements.

I can advise you that further details concerning the processing of outstanding IIP applications is published on the Immigration Service website of my Department, including an FAQ document. Both can be accessed at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/processing-of-iip-applications-on-hand-following-the-closure-of-the-programme/.