Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1644 of 8 September 2025, if any research has been carried out into the merits of allowing greater flexibility regarding 70-day foreign travel allowance for applicants applying for a certificate of naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57460/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Under Section 15 of the Act, applicants are required to have one year’s continuous residence in the State immediately prior to the date of application. During this period applicants can be absent from the State for up to 70 days, either as one period or an aggregate of periods.

An additional period of 30 days absence from the State may also be considered due to exceptional circumstances, such as but not limited to, health requirements, employment, study and/or voluntary service abroad. Each case is examined on an individual basis.

For any person who has already submitted their naturalisation application, the 70 days absence rule no longer applies. However, if an applicant intends to travel outside the State for an extended period of time, they should contact Citizenship division.

All of the requirements under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend this provision.

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