Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

270. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a foreign-born individual whose great grandparent was an Irish citizen is eligible for Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38358/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Irish citizenship may be obtained either by birth, by descent, or by way of naturalisation which is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

A person can become an Irish citizen if one of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even though they were not born on the island of Ireland, or through an Irish national grandparent born in Ireland.

In such cases, a person can become an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration. Once a person is entered onto the Foreign Births Register they are an Irish citizen and entitled to apply for an Irish passport and do not need to apply for naturalisation.

The Foreign Births Register is the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Further information is available at the following link: www.dfa.ie/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/.

There is no provision for a person to become an Irish citizen solely through a great-grandparent who was an Irish-born citizen.

The only other means to obtain Irish citizenship is in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals, where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family or holiday purposes.

Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available on my Department’s Immigration website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.