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Uimhir 26 de 1956.
ACHT NÁISIÚNTACHTA AGUS SAORÁNACHTA ÉIREANN, 1956.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach.
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar Acht Náisiúntachta agus Saoránachta Éireann, 1956, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1935” Acht Náisiúntachta agus Saoránachta Éireann, 1935 (Uimh. 13 de 1935);
ciallaíonn “eachtrannach” duine nach saoránach Éireannach;
folaíonn “oifig chonsalachta” ard-chonsalacht, consalacht nó leas-chonsalacht, pé acu faoi chúram oifigigh chonsalachta ghairmiúil nó oifigigh chonsalachta oinigh di;
ciallaíonn “oifigeach taidhleoireachta” ambasadóir urghnáthach agus lánchumhachtach, toscaire urghnáthach agus aire lánchumhachtach, chargé d'affaires, comhairleoir nó rúnaí ambasáide nó leagáideachta, nó attaché;
ciallaíonn “aerárthach coigríche” aerárthach nach aerárthach Éireannach;
ciallaíonn “long choigríche” long nach long Éireannach;
ciallaíonn “lán-aois” bliain is fiche d'aois agus os a chionn sin;
ciallaíonn “Éire” na críocha náisiúnta mar mínítear iad in Airteagal 2 den Bhunreacht;
ciallaíonn “saoránach Éireannach” saoránach d'Éirinn;
ciallaíonn “aerárthach Éireannach” aerárthach atá cláraithe sa Stát;
ciallaíonn “long Éireannach” long atá cláraithe sa Stát nó, mura bhfuil sí cláraithe sa Stát ná faoi dhlí aon tíre eile, a bhaineas go hiomlán le duine atá cáilithe chun long atá cláraithe sa Stát a bheith ar únaeracht aige nó le daoine a bhfuil gach duine acu cáilithe amhlaidh;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt;
ciallaíonn “saoránach Éireannach eadóirsithe” duine a fuair saoránacht Éireann trí eadóirsiú, pé acu faoin achtachán seo nó faoi aon achtachán eile é;
ciallaíonn an briathar “forordú” forordú le rialacháin ón Aire;
nuair a húsáidtear “seirbhís phoiblí” maidir le fostaíocht dhuine, tagrann sé d'fhostaíocht i seirbhís an Rialtais, pé acu sa Stát-Sheirbhís é nó nach ea, nó i seirbhís aon chorparáide poiblí, nó aon údaráis phoiblí, a cothabháiltear go hiomlán nó go páirteach as cistí poiblí nó a bhfuil Aire Stáit freagrach ina leith.
Rialacháin.
3.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le haon ní nó rud dá dtagartar san Acht seo mar ní nó rud atá forordaithe nó le forordú, ach ní déanfar aon rialachán den tsórt sin maidir le méid nó bailiú táillí gan toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Gach rialachán a dhéanfas an tAire faoin alt seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta, agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá agus fiche a shuífeas an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagadh faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin, beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Caiteachais.
4.—Íocfar as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais é, na caiteachais uile faoina raghaidh an tAire nó an tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha ag cur an Achta seo in éifeacht.
Athghairm, agus cosaint do shaoránacht atá ar marthain.
5.—(1) Athghairmtear leis seo Acht Náisiúntachta agus Saoránachta Éireann, 1935 (Uimh. 13 de 1935), agus Acht Náisiúntachta agus Saoránachta Éireann (Leasú), 1937 (Uimh. 39 de 1937).
(2) Gach duine ba shaoránach d'Éirinn díreach roimh an Acht seo a rith, fanfaidh sé ina shaoránach Éireannach, d'ainneoin na hAchta a luaitear anseo roimhe seo d'athghairm.
CUID II.
Saoránacht.
Saoránacht Éireann ó bhreith nó ó ghinealach.
6.—(1) Is saoránach Éireannach óna bhreith gach duine bheirtear in Éirinn.
(2) Is saoránach Éireannach gach duine má ba shaoránach Éireannach a athair nó a mháthair an tráth a rugadh an duine sin nó má déantar saoránach Éireannach dá athair nó dá mháthair faoi fho-alt (1) nó más rud é go mba shaoránach Éireannach faoin bhfo-alt sin a athair nó a mháthair dá mba beo dhó nó dhi ar dháta an Achta seo a rith.
(3) I gcás duine a rugadh roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith, beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (2) ó dháta a rite. I gcás gach duine eile beidh feidhm aige óna bhreith.
(4) Duine a rugadh roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith agus gur saoránach Éireannach faoi fho-alt (2) a athair nó a mháthair, nó go mba saoránach Éireannach faoin bhfo-alt sin a athair nó a mháthair dá mba beo dhó nó dhi ar dháta a rite, is saoránach Éireannach é ó dháta a rite.
(5) Ní bhronnfaidh fo-alt (1) saoránacht Éireann ar leanbh le heachtrannach a bhí, tráth breithe an linbh, i dteideal díolúine taidhleoireachta sa Stát.
Foirmiúlachtaí atá le comhlíonadh i gcásanna áirithe.
7.—(1) Go dtí go ndéantar athchomhlánú ar na críocha náisiúnta, ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) d'alt 6 i gcás duine, nach saoránach Éireannach ar shlí eile, a rugadh i dTuaisceart Éireann an 6ú Nollaig, 1922, nó dá éis sin, mura rud é go ndéanfaidh an duine sin sa tslí fhorordaithe, más duine lán-aoise é, dearbhú gur saoránach Éireannach é nó, mura duine lán-aoise é, go ndearbhóidh a thuismitheoir nó a chaomhnóir gur saoránach Éireannach é. In aon chás den tsórt sin measfar an fo-alt seo do bhaint leis óna bhreith.
(2) Ní bhronnfaidh fo-alt (2) ná (4) d'alt 6 saoránacht Éireann ar dhuine a rugadh lasmuigh d'Éirinn más lasmuigh d'Éirinn freisin a rugadh an t-athair nó an mháthair trína bhfaigheann sé saoránacht, mura rud é—
(a) go ndearnadh breith an duine sin a chlárú faoi alt 27, nó
(b) gur sa tseirbhís phoiblí a bhí cónaí lasmuigh d'Éirinn ar a athair nó a mháthair, pé acu é, tráth a bhreithe.
Saoránacht d'fháil ar phósadh.
8.—(1) Bean atá ina heachtrannach ar dháta a pósta le duine is saoránach Éireannach (ar shlí seachas trí eadóirsiú), ní déanfar saoránach Éireannach di de bhuaidh a pósta amháin, ach féadfaidh sí bheith ina saoránach Éireannach má thaisceann sí dearbhú sa tslí fhorordaithe leis an Aire, nó le haon mhisiún taidhleoireachta nó oifig chonsalachta Éireannach, roimh an bpósadh nó tráth ar bith dá éis, ag glacadh le saoránacht Éireann mar shaoránacht iarphósta di féin.
(2) Aon bhean a thaiscfeas dearbhú faoi fho-alt (1), beidh sí ina saoránach Éireannach ó dháta a pósta, más roimh an bpósadh a taiscfear an dearbhú, nó ó dháta a thaiscthe más tar éis a pósta a taiscfear é.
(3) Aon bhean a phós, roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith, duine ba shaoránach Éireannach (ar shlí seachas trí eadóirsiú) agus a ndearnadh saoránach Éireannach eadóirsithe di, measfar dearbhú faoi fho-alt (1) a bheith taiscthe aici ar dháta an Achta seo a rith agus dá bhuaidh sin, agus ní trí eadóirsiú, is saoránach Éireannach í feasta.
Saoránacht leanaí a rugadh tar éis bás an athar.
9.—Aon leanbh a rugadh tar éis bás a athar agus a raibh a athair ina shaoránach Éireannach ar dháta a bháis, gheobhaidh sé saoránacht Éireann faoin Acht seo ar na coinníollacha céanna ar a bhfaigheadh dá mbeadh a athair beo tráth a bhreithe.
Saoránacht leanaí faighte.
10.—Gach naíon tréigthe ar sa Stát a gheobhfar é den chéad uair measfar, mura gcruthaítear a mhalairt, gur in Éirinn a rugadh é.
Saoránacht uchtleanaí.
11.—(1) Ar ordú uchtála a dhéanamh faoin Acht Uchtála, 1952 (Uimh. 25 de 1952), i gcás inar saoránach Éireannach an t-uchtóir nó, más lánú phósta a dhéanfas an uchtáil, i gcás inar saoránach Éireannach an fear céile nó a bhean chéile, beidh an t-uchtleanbh, mura saoránach Éireannach é cheana, ina shaoránach Éireannach.
(2) Athghairmtear leis seo alt 25 den Acht Uchtála, 1952.
Saoránacht a dheonadh mar chomhartha onóra.
12.—(1) Féadfaidh an tUachtarán saoránacht Éireann a dheonadh mar chomhartha onóra do dhuine, nó do leanbh nó ua le duine, is dóigh leis an Rialtas a thug onóir shuntasach nó seirbhís oirearc don náisiún.
(2) Eiseofar deimhniú saoránachta Éireann don duine a ndeonfar saoránacht Éireann dó amhlaidh agus beidh sé ina shaoránach Éireannach ó dháta an deimhnithe.
(3) Foilseofar san Iris Oifigiúil a luaithe is féidir fógra gur heisíodh an deimhniú saoránachta.
Saoránacht daoine a rugadh ar longa agus ar aorárthaigh.
13.—(1) Duine a rugadh ar long Éireannach nó ar aerárthach Éireannach, pé áit arb ann di, measfar gur in Éirinn a rugadh é.
(2) Leanbh a rugadh d'eachtrannaigh ar long choigríche nó ar aerárthach coigríche le linn an long nó an t-aerárthach a bheith in Éirinn nó ina farraigí teorann, measfar nach in Éirinn a rugadh é má fuair sé saoránacht thíre eile tráth a bhreithe.
CUID III.
Eadóirseacht.
Deimhnithe eadóirseachta.
14.—Féadfar saoránacht Éireann a bhronnadh ar eachtrannach trí dheimhniú eadóirseachta a dheonfas an tAire.
Coinníollacha maidir le deimhniú d'eisiúint.
15.—Nuair a gheobhas an tAire iarratas ar dheimhniú eadóirseachta, féadfaidh sé, dá rogha féin amháin, an t-iarratas a dheonadh, más deimhin leis go gcomhlíonann an t-iarratasóir na coinníollacha seo a leanas (dá ngairmtear coinníollacha le haghaidh eadóirseachta san Acht seo):
(a) gur duine lán-aoise é;
(b) gur duine dea-charachtair é;
(c) go bhfuil sé (i gcás iarratais a déanfar tar éis bliana ó dháta an Achta seo a rith) tar éis fógra a thabhairt go bhfuil ar intinn aige an t-iarratas a dhéanamh bliain ar a laghad roimh dháta a iarratais;
(d) gur chónaigh sé go leanúnach sa Stát ar feadh bliana amháin díreach roimh dháta a iarratais agus go raibh ceithre bliana san iomlán caite aige ina chónaí sa Stát i gcaitheamh na n-ocht mbliana díreach roimh an tréimhse sin;
(e) go bhfuil sé de mheon mhacánta ar intinn fanúint ina chónaí sa Stát tar éis a eadóirsithe;
(f) go ndearna sé os comhair Breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche i gcúirt oscailte nó i pé slí a cheadós an tAire, ar chúiseanna speisialta, dearbhú sa tslí fhorordaithe go mbeidh sé dílis don náisiún agus tairiseach don Stát.
Cumhacht chun coinníollacha eadóirsithe a ligean thar ceal i gcásanna áirithe.
16.—Féadfaidh an tAire, más oiriúnach leis é, géilleadh d'iarratas ar dheimhniú eadóirseachta sna cásanna seo a leanas, bíodh nach gcomhlíontar ná coinníollacha le haghaidh eadóirsithe (nó aon cheann áirithe acu):
(a) más de bhunadh Éireannach an t-iarratasóir nó go bhfuil caidreamh aige le hEirinn;
(b) más tuismitheoir nó caomhnóir an t-iarratasóir agus go bhfuil sé ag gníomhú thar ceann mionaoisigh de bhunadh Éireannach nó mionaoisigh ag a bhfuil caidreamh le hEirinn;
(c) más saoránach Éireannach eadóirsithe an t-iarratasóir agus go bhfuil sé ag gníomhú thar ceann a linbh mhionaoise;
(d) más bean an t-iarratasóir agus go bhfuil sí pósta le saoránach Éireannach eadóirsithe;
(e) má tá an t-iarratasóir pósta le bean is saoránach Éireannach (ar shlí seachas trí eadóirsiú);
(f) má tá, nó má bhí, cónaí ar an iarratasóir lasmuigh den Stát sa tseirbhís phoiblí.
Foirm iarratais.
17.—(1) Aon iarratas a déanfar ar dheimhniú eadóirseachta—
(a) beidh sé sa bhfoirm fhorordaithe, agus
(b) beidh ina theannta pé fianaise (lena n-áirítear dearbhuithe reachtúla) a iarrfas an tAire mar dheimhniú ar an iarratas.
(2) Má dhéanann duine ar bith, le haghaidh nó i leith iarratais ar dheimhniú eadóirseachta, aon ráiteas nó eolas a thabhairt don Aire is eol dó a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach in aon phonc ábhartha, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nach sia ná sé mhí nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.
Eifeacht agus feidhm deimhnithe eadóirseachta.
18.—(1) Gach duine dá ndeonfar deimhniú eadóirseachta, beidh sé ó dháta a eisithe, agus an fhaid a bheas an deimhniú gan cúlghairm, ina shaoránach Éireannach.
(2) Is sa bhfoirm fhorordaithe a bheas deimhniú eadóirseachta agus eiseofar é ar an táille fhorordaithe d'íoc agus foilseofar fógra sa tslí fhorordaithe san Iris Oifigiúil i dtaobh a eisiúna.
Deimhnithe eadóirseachta a chúlghairm.
19.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire deimhniú eadóirseachta a chúlghairm más deimhin leis—
(a) gur trí chalaois, trí mhífhaisnéis, neamhurchóideach nó calaoiseach, nó trí fhíorais nó imthosca ábhartha a cheilt, a tugadh chun críche gur heisíodh an deimhniú, nó
(b) go ndearna an duine dar deonadh é aon ghníomh follas a chruthaigh gur loic sé ina dhualgas bheith dílis don náisiún agus tairiseach don Stát, nó
(c) go raibh an duine dar deonadh é (ach amháin i gcás deimhnithe eadóirseachta a heisíodh chun duine de bhunadh Éireannach nó chun duine a bhfuil caidreamh aige le hEirinn) ina ghnáth-chónaí lasmuigh d'Éirinn (ar shlí seachas sa tseirbhís phoiblí) ar feadh tréimhse seacht mbliana as a chéile agus nach ndearna sé i gcaitheamh na tréimhse sin a ainm, maraon le dearbhú go raibh sé ar intinn saoránacht Éireann a choinneáil, a chlárú in aghaidh na bliana sa tslí fhorordaithe le misiún taidhleoireachta nó oifig chonsalachta Éireannach nó leis an Aire, nó
(d) go bhfuil an duine dar deonadh é, faoi dhlí thíre atá i gcogadh leis an Stát, ina shaoránach de chuid na tíre sin freisin, nó
(e) go bhfuil an duine dar deonadh é tar éis saoránacht eile d'fháil trí aon ghníomh saorálach seachas pósadh.
(2) Sara gcúlghairmfear deimhniú eadóirseachta bhéarfaidh an tAire don duine dar deonadh an deimhniú pé fógra a bheas forordaithe á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige an deimhniú a chúlghairm, agus ag lua na bhforas atá leis an gcúlghairm agus go bhfuil de cheart ag an duine sin a iarraidh ar an Aire fiosrú a dhéanamh i dtaobh fátha na cúlghairme.
(3) Má hiarrtar sa tslí fhorordaithe fiosrú faoi fho-alt (2), cuirfidh an tAire an cás faoi bhráid Choiste Fiosrúcháin a cheapfas an tAire agus ar a mbeidh cathaoirleach ag a bhfuil taithí bhreithiúnach agus pé daoine eile is oiriúnach leis an Aire, agus cuirfidh an Coiste a gcinneadh in iúl don Aire.
(4) I gcás inar taifeadadh i ndeimhniú eadóirseachta a deonadh do dhuine faoi Acht 1935 ainm aon linbh leis an duine sin, measfar chun críocha an Achta seo gur deimhniú eadóirseachta faoi Acht 1935 an aifead sin.
(5) Aon deimhniú eadóirseachta a deonadh, nó a meastar faoi fho-alt (4) a deonadh, faoi Acht 1935, féadfar é a chúlghairm do réir forál an ailt seo agus, ar é a chúlghairm amhlaidh, scoirfidh an duine lena mbaineann de bheith ina shaoránach Éireannach.
(6) Foilseofar san Iris Oifigiúil fógra i dtaobh deimhniú eadóirseachta a chúlghairm.
Duine de lánúin phósta d'fháil saoránachta.
20.—Má gheibheann duine saoránacht Éireann ní dhéanfaidh sin ann féin saoránacht Éireann a bhronnadh ar chéile an duine sin.
CUID IV.
Saoránacht a Chailliúint.
Saoránacht a thréigint.
21.—(1) Más duine lán-aoise, nó bean phósta faoi bhun lánaoise, saoránach Éireannach agus gur saoránach de thír eile an duine sin nó an bhean sin nó go bhfuil sé nó sí ar tí bheith ina shaoránach nó ina saoránach de thír eile, agus mar gheall air sin gur mian leis nó léi saoránacht a thréigint, féadfaidh sé nó sí déanamh amhlaidh, má tá gnáth-chónaí air nó uirthi lasmuigh den Stát, trí dhearbhú eachtrannachta a thaisceadh leis an Aire sa tslí fhorordaithe, agus, ar an dearbhú a thaisceadh nó, mura saoránach den tír sin é nó í an tráth sin, ar shaoránach den tír sin a dhéanamh de nó di, scoirfidh sé nó sí de bheith ina shaoránach Éireannach nó ina saoránach Éireannach.
(2) Ní cead do shaoránach Éireannach, ach amháin le toiliú an Aire, saoránacht Éireann a thréigint faoin alt seo le linn aimsir chogaidh mar mnítear sin in Airteagal 28.3.3° de Bhunreacht.
Gan bás céile ná cailliúint saoránachta ag céile do dhéanamh difir don chéile eile ná dá leanaí.
22.—(1) Má gheibheann saoránach Éireannach bás, ní dhéanfaidh sin difir do shaoránacht na mná céile nó an fhir chéile, ná do shaoránacht na leanaí, a mhairfeas dá éis nó dá héis.
(2) Má chailleann duine saoránacht Éireann, ní dhéanfaidh sin ann féin difir do shaoránacht mná céile nó fir chéile nó leanaí an duine sin.
Gan duine do chailliúint saoránachta ar phósadh.
23.—Duine a phósfas eachtrannach, ní scoirfidh sé nó sí, de bhuaidh an phósta agus dá bhuaidh sin amháin, de bheith ina shaoránach Éireannach nó ina saoránach Éireannach, pé acu a gheobhas sé nó sí náisiúntacht an eachtrannaigh nó nach bhfaighidh.
Cailliúint saoránachta trí oibriú dlí choigríche faoi alt 21 d'Acht 1935.
24.—Ní measfar duine ar bith do chailliúint saoránacht Éireann riamh faoi alt 21 d'Acht 1935 trí oibriú dlí tíre eile a bhronnas saoránacht na tíre sin ar an duine sin gan aon ghníomh saorálach ag an duine sin féin, agus dá bhíthin sin amháin.
Gan oblagáidí duine a dhul ar ceal ar scor dá shaoránacht.
25.—Má scoireann duine de bheith ina shaoránach Éireannach, ní oibreoidh an scor sin ann féin chun an duine sin a shaoradh ó aon oblagáid, dualgas nó dliteanas a ghlac sé air féin nó a cuireadh air nó a ndeachaigh sé faoi roimh an scor.
CUID V.
Ginearálta.
Cearta saoránachta frithpháirteacha.
26.—(1) Más deimhin leis an Rialtas go bhfuil ag saoránaigh Eireannacha i dtír eile faoi dhlí na tíre sin (pé acu de bhuaidh coinbhinsiúin idir an tír sin agus an Stát nó ar shlí eile é) cuid de chearta agus pribhléidí saoránaigh den tír sin, nó iad go léir, féadfaidh an Rialtas le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú cearta saoránachta san alt seo) a dhearbhú go mbeidh sa Stát ag saoránaigh den tír sin na cearta agus na pribhléidí céanna saoránachta atá sa tír sin ag saoránaigh Eireannacha, ach sin faoi réir pé coinníollacha (más ann) is oiriúnach leis an Rialtas d'fhorchur.
(2) Beidh éifeacht do réir a théarmaí ag gach ordú cearta saoránachta.
(3) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
(4) Ní bhronnfaidh an Rialtas ar shaoránach tíre eile, le hordú cearta saoránachta, aon cheart ná pribhléid a forcoimeádtar le dlí d'aon aicme nó grúpa daoine, pé slí ina mínítear sin, nach mbeidh an saoránach sin, an tráth iomchuí ar dhuine acu.
(5) Gach ordú a déanfar faoin alt seo, leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta, agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá agus fiche a shuífeas an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagadh faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an orduithe, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú.
(6) Gach ordú a rinneadh roimh an Acht seo a rith faoi alt 23 d'Acht 1935 ag bronnadh cearta saoránachta ar shaoránaigh de thír eile, leanfaidh sé de lán-fheidhm agus lán-éifeacht a bheith aige go dtí go gcúlghairmtear nó go leasaítear é le hordú faoin alt seo.
Clárú breitheanna lasmuigh den Stát.
27.—(1) Coimeádfar leabhar taifeadta breitheanna coigríche i ngach misiún taidhleoireachta agus oifig chonsalachta Éireannach agus coimeádfar clár breitheanna coigríche sa Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha i mBaile Atha Cliath.
(2) Má beirtear lasmuigh d'Éirinn duine a gheibheas saoránacht trí athair nó máthair a rugadh lasmuigh d'Éirinn, féadfar an bhreith sin a chlárú do réir na rialachán um breitheanna coigríche, in aon leabhar taifeadta breitheanna coigríche nó i gclár na mbreitheanna coigríche, do réir mar is rogha leis an duine a chlárós an bhreith.
(3) Cuirfear ar aghaidh ó am go ham, do réir na rialachán um breitheanna coigríche, go dtí an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha lena dtaifeadadh i gclár na mbreitheanna coigríche, sonraí ar na breitheanna go léir a taifeadadh i leabhar taifeadta breitheanna coigríche.
(4) Aon doiciméad a airbheartaíos a bheith ina chóip de thaifead i leabhar taifeadta breitheanna coigríche nó i gclár na mbreitheanna coigríche, agus a bheith fíordheimhnithe go cuí glacfar i bhfianaise é, gan cruthúnas ar an síniú nó an séala lenar fíordheimhníodh é ná ar údarás an duine a bhfuil a shíniú nó a shéala air agus, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, measfar gur cóip dhílis den taifead é agus glacfar leis mar chruthúnas ar dhéanamh an taifid agus ar a bhfuil ann.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha rialacháin a dhéanamh (dá ngairmtear na rialacháin um breitheanna coigríche san Acht seo) maidir leis an bhfoirm agus an tslí ina gcoimeádfar leabhair taifeadta breitheanna coigríche agus clár na mbreitheanna coigríche, maidir le clárú breitheanna sa chlár sin, maidir le sonraí ar bhreitheanna as na leabhair taifeadta breitheanna coigríche a chur ar aghaidh lena dtaifeadadh i gclár na mbreitheanna coigríche, maidir le hiniúchadh na leabhar agus an chláir ag an bpobal, maidir le sleachta a thabhairt astu, agus (le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais) maidir leis na táillí (más ann) a bheas le héileamh as breitheanna a chlárú sna leabhair agus sa chlár, agus as iad d'iniúchadh agus sleachta a thabhairt astu.
Deimhnithe náisiúntachta.
28.—(1) Duine ar bith seachas saoránach Éireannach eadóirssithe, a éileos gur saoránach Éireannach é, féadfaidh sé iarratas a dhéanamh chun an Aire nó, más lasmuigh d'Éirinn atá cónaí air, chun aon oifigigh thaidhleoireachta nó chonsalachta Éireannaigh ar dheimhniú náisiúntachta á rá gur saoránach Éireannach an t-iarratasóir, ar dháta an deimhnithe; agus más deimhin leis an Aire, nó leis an oifigeach—
(a) gur saoránach Éireannach an t-iarratasóir, agus
(b) go bhfuil sé riachtanach in imthosca uile an cháis an deimhniú d'eisiúint,
féadfaidh sé deimhniú náisiúntachta d'eisiúint chuige dá réir sin.
(2) Aon doiciméad a airbheartaíos a bheith ina dheimhniú náisiúntachta agus a bheith fíordeimhnithe go cuí le séala an Aire nó oifigigh thaidhleoireachta nó chonsalachta, beidh sé, go dtí go gcurthófar a mhalairt, ina fhianaise go raibh an duine a hainmnítear ann ina shaoránach Éireannach ar dháta an doiciméid.
Na cearta reachtúla a bronntar ar dhaoine a rugadh in Éirinn a thabhairt do gach saoránach
29.—Beidh teideal ag saoránach Éireannach, pé áit ina rugadh é, chun na gcearta agus na pribhléidí uile a bronntar do réir téarmaí aon achtacháin ar dhaoine a rugadh in Éirinn.
Táillí is iníoctha ar dhearbhú.
30.—Aon uair a ceanglaítear ar dhuine ar bith, nó a cumhachtaítear dó, leis an Acht seo, dearbhú a dhéanamh chun críocha an Achta seo, féadfaidh rialacháin faoin Acht seo a cheangal ar an duine sin pé táille a forordófar d'íoc ar é do dhéanamh an dearbhuithe sin.
Táillí a bhailiú agus a chur chun feidhme.
31.—(1) Déanfar na táillí uile is iníoctha faoin Acht seo a bhailiú agus a thógaint i pe slí a ordós an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham agus íocfar isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste iad do réir mar ordós an tAire sin.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, maidir le haon táillí is iníoctha faoin Acht seo.
Number 26 of 1956.
IRISH NATIONALITY AND CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1956.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PRELIMINARY.
Section | |
CITIZENSHIP.
NATURALISATION.
Power to dispense with conditions of naturalisation in certain cases. | |
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP.
Non-effect of spouse's death or loss of citizenship on other spouse or children. | |
Loss of citizenship by operation of foreign law under section 21 of Act of 1935. | |
GENERAL.
Extension to all citizens of statutory rights conferred on persons born in Ireland. | |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 13 of 1935 | |
No. 39 of 1937 | |
No. 25 of 1952 | |
Number 26 of 1956.
IRISH NATIONALITY AND CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1956.
PART I.
Preliminary.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
“the Act of 1935” means the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1935 (No. 13 of 1935);
“alien” means a person who is not an Irish citizen;
“consular office” includes a consulate-general, consulate or vice-consulate, whether in charge of a career or honorary consular officer;
“diplomatic officer” means an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, chargé d'affaires, counsellor or secretary of embassy or legation, or attaché;
“foreign aircraft” means an aircraft which is not an Irish aircraft;
“foreign ship” means a ship which is not an Irish ship;
“full age” means the age of twenty-one years, and upwards;
“Ireland” means the national territory as defined in Article 2 of the Constitution;
“Irish citizen” means a citizen of Ireland;
“Irish aircraft” means an aircraft registered in the State;
“Irish ship” means a ship registered in the State or a ship which, if not registered in the State or under the law of any other country, is wholly owned by a person qualified to own a ship registered in the State or by persons all of whom are so qualified;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
“naturalised Irish citizen” means a person who acquires Irish citizenship by naturalisation, whether under this or any other enactment;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;
“public service” when used in relation to the employment of a person, refers to employment in the service of the Government, whether or not in the civil service, or in the service of any public corporation or authority maintained wholly or partly out of public funds or in respect of which a Minister of State is responsible.
Regulations.
3.—(1) The Minister may make regulations in relation to any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed, but no such regulation shall be made in relation to the amount or collection of fees without the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(2) Every regulation made by the Minister under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Expenses.
4.—All expenses incurred by the Minister or by the Minister for External Affairs in carrying this Act into effect shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals and saving for existing citizenship.
5.—(1) The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1935 (No. 13 of 1935), and the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1937 (No. 39 of 1937), are hereby repealed.
(2) Every person who, immediately before the passing of this Act, was a citizen of Ireland shall remain an Irish citizen, notwithstanding the foregoing repeals.
PART II.
Citizenship.
Irish citizenship by birth or descent.
6.—(1) Every person born in Ireland is an Irish citizen from birth.
(2) Every person is an Irish citizen if his father or mother was an Irish citizen at the time of that person's birth or becomes an Irish citizen under subsection (1) or would be an Irish citizen under that subsection if alive at the passing of this Act.
(3) In the case of a person born before the passing of this Act, subsection (2) applies from the date of its passing. In every other case, it applies from birth.
(4) A person born before the passing of this Act whose father or mother is an Irish citizen under subsection (2), or would be if alive at its passing, shall be an Irish citizen from the date of its passing.
(5) Subsection (1) shall not confer Irish citizenship on the child of an alien who, at the time of the child's birth, is entitled to diplomatic immunity in the State.
Formalities to be complied with in certain cases.
7.—(1) Pending the re-integration of the national territory, subsection (1) of section 6 shall not apply to a person, not otherwise an Irish citizen, born in Northern Ireland on or after the 6th December, 1922, unless, in the prescribed manner, that person, if of full age, declares himself to be an Irish citizen or, if he is not of full age, his parent or guardian declares him to be an Irish citizen. In any such case, the subsection shall be deemed to apply to him from birth.
(2) Neither subsection (2) nor (4) of section 6 shall confer Irish citizenship on a person born outside Ireland if the father or mother through whom he derives citizenship was also born outside Ireland, unless—
(a) that person's birth is registered under section 27, or
(b) his father or mother, as the case may be, was at the time of his birth resident abroad in the public service.
Acquisition of citizenship on marriage.
8.—(1) A woman who is an alien at the date of her marriage to a person who is an Irish citizen (otherwise than by naturalisation) shall not become an Irish citizen merely by virtue of her marriage, but may do so by lodging a declaration in the prescribed manner with the Minister, or with any Irish diplomatic mission or consular office, either before or at any time after the marriage accepting Irish citizenship as her post-nuptial citizenship.
(2) A woman who lodges a declaration under subsection (1) shall be an Irish citizen from the date of her marriage, if the declaration was lodged before the marriage, or if lodged thereafter, then from the date of lodgment.
(3) A woman who, before the passing of this Act, married a person who was an Irish citizen (otherwise than by naturalisation) and became a naturalised Irish citizen shall be deemed to have lodged a declaration under subsection (1) on the passing of this Act and thereafter shall be an Irish citizen by virtue thereof and not by naturalisation.
Citizenship of posthumous children.
9.—A child born posthumously whose father was on the date of his death an Irish citizen shall acquire Irish citizenship under this Act on the same conditions as if his father were alive when he was born.
Citizenship of foundlings.
10.—Every deserted infant first found in the State shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been born in Ireland.
Citizenship of adopted children.
11.—(1) Upon an adoption order being made, under the Adoption Act, 1952 (No. 25 of 1952), in a case in which the adopter or, where the adoption is by a married couple, either spouse is an Irish citizen, the adopted child, if not already an Irish citizen, shall be an Irish citizen.
(2) Section 25 of the Adoption Act, 1952, is hereby repealed.
Grant of citizenship as token of honour.
12.—(1) The President may grant Irish citizenship as a token of honour to a person or to the child or grandchild of a person who, in the opinion of the Government, has done signal honour or rendered distinguished service to the nation.
(2) A certificate of Irish citizenship shall be issued to the person to whom Irish citizenship is so granted and he shall, from the date of the certificate, be an Irish citizen.
(3) Notice of the issue of the certificate of citizenship shall be published as soon as may be in Iris Oifigiúil.
Citizenship of persons born on ships and aircraft.
13.—(1) A person born in an Irish ship or an Irish aircraft wherever it may be is deemed to be born in Ireland.
(2) A person who is born the child of aliens in a foreign ship or in a foreign aircraft while the ship or aircraft is within Ireland or its territorial seas is deemed not to be born in Ireland, if at the birth the child acquired the citizenship of another country.
PART III.
Naturalisation.
Certificates of naturalisation.
14.—Irish citizenship may be conferred on an alien by means of a certificate of naturalisation granted by the Minister.
Conditions for issue of certificate.
15.—Upon receipt of an application for a certificate of naturalisation, the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant the application, if satisfied that the applicant complies with the following conditions (in this Act referred to as conditions for naturalisation):
(a) he is of full age;
(b) he is of good character;
(c) he has (in the case of application made after the expiration of one year from the passing of this Act) given notice of his intention to make the application at least one year prior to the date of his application;
(d) he has had a period of one year's continuous residence in the State immediately before the date of his application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, has had a total residence in the State amounting to four years;
(e) he intends in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation;
(f) he has made, either before a Justice of the District Court in open court or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
Power to dispense with conditions of naturalisation in certain cases.
16.—The Minister may, if he thinks fit, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation in the following cases, although the conditions for naturalisation (or any of them) are not complied with:
(a) where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations;
(b) where the applicant is a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor of Irish descent or Irish associations;
(c) where the applicant is a naturalised Irish citizen acting on behalf of his minor child;
(d) where the applicant is a woman who is married to a naturalised Irish citizen;
(e) where the applicant is married to a woman who is an Irish citizen (otherwise than by naturalisation);
(f) where the applicant is or has been resident abroad in the public service.
Form of application.
17.—(1) An application for a certificate of naturalisation shall—
(a) be in the prescribed form, and
(b) be accompanied by such evidence (including statutory declarations) to vouch the application as the Minister may require.
(2) If any person, for the purposes of or in relation to an application for a certificate of naturalisation, gives or makes to the Minister any statement or information which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material respect, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Effect and operation of certificate of naturalisation.
18.—(1) Every person to whom a certificate of naturalisation is granted shall, from the date of issue and so long as the certificate remains unrevoked, be an Irish citizen.
(2) A certificate of naturalisation shall be in the prescribed form and be issued on payment of the prescribed fee, and notice of issue shall be published in the prescribed manner in Iris Oifigiúil.
Revocation of certificates of naturalisation.
19.—(1) The Minister may revoke a certificate of naturalisation if he is satisfied—
(a) that the issue of the certificate was procured by fraud, misrepresentation whether innocent or fraudulent, or concealment of material facts or circumstances, or
(b) that the person to whom it was granted has, by any overt act, shown himself to have failed in his duty of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, or
(c) that (except in the case of a certificate of naturalisation which is issued to a person of Irish descent or associations) the person to whom it is granted has been ordinarily resident outside Ireland (otherwise than in the public service) for a continuous period of seven years and without reasonable excuse has not during that period registered annually in the prescribed manner his name and a declaration of his intention to retain Irish citizenship with an Irish diplomatic mission or consular office or with the Minister, or
(d) that the person to whom it is granted is also, under the law of a country at war with the State, a citizen of that country, or
(e) that the person to whom it is granted has by any voluntary act other than marriage acquired another citizenship.
(2) Before revocation of a certificate of naturalisation the Minister shall give such notice as may be prescribed to the person to whom the certificate was granted of his intention to revoke the certificate, stating the grounds therefor and the right of that person to apply to the Minister for an inquiry as to the reasons for the revocation.
(3) On application being made in the prescribed manner for an inquiry under subsection (2) the Minister shall refer the case to a Committee of Inquiry appointed by the Minister consisting of a chairman having judicial experience and such other persons as the Minister may think fit, and the Committee shall report their findings to the Minister.
(4) Where there is entered in a certificate of naturalisation granted to a person under the Act of 1935 the name of any child of that person, such entry shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to be a certificate of naturalisation under the Act of 1935.
(5) A certificate of naturalisation granted or deemed under subsection (4) to have been granted under the Act of 1935 may be revoked in accordance with the provisions of this section and, upon such revocation, the person concerned shall cease to be an Irish citizen.
(6) Notice of the revocation of a certificate of naturalisation shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil.
Acquisition of citizenship by one of married couple.
20.—Acquisition of Irish citizenship by a person shall not of itself confer Irish citizenship on his or her spouse.
PART IV.
Loss of Citizenship.
Renunciation of citizenship.
21.—(1) If an Irish citizen, who is either of full age or a married woman under that age, is or is about to become a citizen of another country and for that reason desires to renounce citizenship, he or she may do so, if ordinarily resident outside the State, by lodging with the Minister a declaration of alienage in the prescribed manner, and, upon lodgment of the declaration or, if not then a citizen of that country, upon becoming such, shall cease to be an Irish citizen.
(2) An Irish citizen may not, except with the consent of the Minister, renounce Irish citizenship under this section during a time of war as defined in Article 28.3.3° of the Constitution.
Non-effect of spouse's death or loss of citizenship on other spouse or children.
22.—(1) The death of an Irish citizen shall not affect the citizenship of his or her surviving spouse or children.
(2) Loss of Irish citizenship by a person shall not of itself affect the citizenship of his or her spouse or children.
Marriage not to effect loss of citizenship.
23.—A person who marries an alien shall not, merely by virtue of the marriage, cease to be an Irish citizen, whether or not he or she acquires the nationality of the alien.
Loss of citizenship by operation of foreign law under section 21 of Act of 1935.
24.—No person shall be deemed ever to have lost Irish citizenship under section 21 of the Act of 1935 merely by operation of the law of another country whereby citizenship of that country is conferred on that person without any voluntary act on his part.
Preservation of obligations on cesser of citizenship.
25.—If a person ceases to be an Irish citizen the cesser of his citizenship shall not of itself operate to discharge any obligation, duty or liability undertaken, imposed or incurred before the cesser.
PART V.
General.
Mutual citizenship rights.
26.—(1) Where the Government are satisfied that under the law of another country (whether by virtue of a convention between that country and the State or otherwise) Irish citizens enjoy in that country some or all of the rights and privileges of a citizen of that country, the Government may by order (in this section referred to as a citizenship rights order) declare that citizens of that country shall enjoy in the State similar citizenship rights and privileges to those enjoyed by Irish citizens in that country, but subject to such conditions (if any) as the Government may think fit to impose.
(2) Every citizenship rights order shall have effect in accordance with its terms.
(3) The Government may by order revoke or amend an order under this section.
(4) The Government shall not, by a citizenship rights order, confer upon a citizen of another country any right or privilege reserved by law to any class or group of persons, howsoever defined, of which he is, at the relevant time, not a member.
(5) Every order under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either House within the next twenty-one days after that House has sat after the order was laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
(6) Every order made before the passing of this Act under section 23 of the Act of 1935 conferring citizenship rights on the citizens of another country shall continue in full force and effect until revoked or amended by an order made under this section.
Registry of births abroad.
27.—(1) A foreign births entry book shall be kept in every Irish diplomatic mission and consular office and a foreign births register shall be kept in the Department of External Affairs in Dublin.
(2) The birth outside Ireland of a person deriving citizenship through a father or mother born outside Ireland may be registered, in accordance with the foreign births regulations, either in any foreign births entry book or in the foreign births register, at the option of the person registering the birth.
(3) Particulars of all births entered in a foreign births entry book shall be transmitted, from time to time, in accordance with the foreign births regulations, to the Department of External Affairs for entry in the foreign births register.
(4) A document purporting to be a copy of an entry in a foreign births entry book or in the foreign births register, and to be duly authenticated, shall be admitted in evidence without proof of the signature or seal whereby it is authenticated or of the authority of the person whose signature or seal appears thereon and shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed a true copy of the entry and accepted as proof of the fact and terms thereof.
(5) The Minister for External Affairs may make regulations (in this Act referred to as the foreign births regulations) respecting the form and manner of keeping of foreign births entry books and the foreign births register, the registration of births therein, the transmission of particulars of births from foreign births entry books for entry in the foreign births register, the inspection of the books and register by the public, the furnishing of extracts therefrom, and (with the consent of the Minister for Finance) the fees (if any) to be charged for registration of births in the books and register, for the inspection thereof and for furnishing extracts therefrom.
Certificates of nationality.
28.—(1) Any person who claims to be an Irish citizen, other than a naturalised Irish citizen, may apply to the Minister or, if resident outside Ireland, to any Irish diplomatic officer or consular officer for a certificate of nationality stating that the applicant is, at the date of the certificate, an Irish citizen; and the Minister or officer, if satisfied that—
(a) the applicant is an Irish citizen, and
(b) the issue of the certificate is necessary in all the circumstances of the case,
may issue a certificate of nationality to him accordingly.
(2) A document purporting to be a certificate of nationality, duly authenticated by the seal of the Minister or of a diplomatic or consular officer shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence that the person named therein was, at the date thereof, an Irish citizen.
Extension to all citizens of statutory rights conferred on persons born in Ireland.
29.—An Irish citizen, wherever born, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges conferred by the terms of any enactment on persons born in Ireland.
Fees payable on declaration.
30.—Whenever any person is by this Act required or empowered to make a declaration for the purposes of this Act, regulations made under this Act may require that such person shall pay, on the making of such declaration, such fee as may be prescribed.
Collection and disposal of fees.
31.—(1) All fees payable under this Act shall be collected and taken in such manner as the Minister for Finance shall, from time to time, direct and shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the said Minister.
(2) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect of any fees payable under this Act.