Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has signed an order to recommence legislation allowing for naturalised Irish citizenship to be revoked in serious cases.
The Minister for Justice is empowered to revoke Irish citizenship granted by naturalisation under Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.
However, a 2021 Supreme Court judgment found that the process lacked some necessary safeguards.
Amendments had to be made to address the issues raised in the Supreme Court judgement.
Minister O’Callaghan’s signing this week of the commencement order reestablishes the revocation process effective from April 7 this year.
Under the new procedure, where the Minister for Justice decides to revoke citizenship, an individual will be able to access a Committee of Inquiry.
The decision-making process of the committee will operate independently of the Minister.
The committee can affirm or reject the decision of the Minister.
“The signing of this order reestablishes the important and necessary power to revoke naturalised Irish citizenship.
“Where citizenship has been obtained fraudulently or when an individual poses a serious risk or threat to the State, it is essential that the power to remove the citizenship which has been granted to them is there. The order is not designed to disadvantage or be punitive against naturalised Irish citizens,” Minister O’Callaghan said.
“It does, however, provide repercussions and remedy when citizenship is acquired by fraudulent means, or when a person poses a serious threat to our society.
“Revocation of Irish citizenship is only undertaken in the most serious of circumstances and I am aware that the loss of citizenship has serious consequences,” he said.
The ability for citizenship to be revoked by the Minister has existed since 1956 and has only been undertaken “in the most serious of circumstances,” according to the Department.