Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
49. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person born in the UK with no Irish decent but married to an Irish person and living in Ireland for almost 30 years can apply avail of an Irish passport without applying and paying for naturalisation. [11790/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to acquire an Irish passport solely by virtue of a marriage or civil partnership with an Irish citizen. The legal provision that provided for post-nuptial citizenship was repealed with effect from 30 November 2005 and therefore it is not possible to apply retrospectively. Citizens can apply for an Irish passport if they acquired Irish citizenship by making a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship, as prescribed by the Department of Justice and Equality prior to this date.
Information on Irish citizenship through naturalisation is available from the Department of Justice which has responsibility for that process.
