886. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the factors considered for approval under Section 16 for Irish association naturalisation in addition to meeting 50% of the Irish association guideline points in two categories, being related to an Irish citizen and being of good character. [40301/26]

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions (including the 5 year residency requirement) in certain circumstances. This includes where the applicant is a direct descendant of someone who is or was an Irish citizen (for example, a grandparent), has a family connection to an Irish citizen (including by blood, adoption, or civil partnership), or is related by affinity, meaning a close relationship through a spouse’s family.

Last year my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. They set out the factors that may be considered when assessing whether statutory conditions should be waived, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Applications under Section 16 are assessed according to the following indicative categories:

• Experiential connection to the State.

• Family connections to the State.

• Cultural connection to the State.

• Establishment in the State.

Applicants demonstrating a strong connection (i.e. 50% or more of total possible mark) in two or more of the above indicative categories may be considered as potentially suitable for the waiving of any or all statutory naturalisation conditions. Supporting documentation provided at the time of application will be used to assess the application in each indicative category. The details of the indicative criteria and scoring are available on the Immigration Service Delivery website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/.

All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under the 1956 Act. As part of this assessment, An Garda Síochána is requested to make enquiries into the applicant’s background; the detail and extent of which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. eVetting and police clearance certificates form part of this assessment.