There are no provisions in Irish immigration law or procedure, or in EU law, whereby a non-EEA national may obtain permission to reside in the State on the basis of a relationship with an Irish national, except where the person in question is the spouse or an immediate dependent family member of the Irish national in question. However, it is open to any non-national to make an application to be allowed reside in the State and the nature and duration of that person's relationship with an Irish national, as well as the person's capacity to support himself or herself without recourse to public funds, would be taken into account in determining whether or not permission would be granted.