Irish citizenship question

joannaman

Hi there,

I'm probably posting in the wrong area but I couldn't find anything dealing with citizenship queries, so here goes. Basically my bro-in-law is non-EEA national, and has been studying and working in Dublin since Oct 04. I'm just wondering is he entitled to apply for Irish citizenship. Now I have read on this website here

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/becoming_an_irish_citizen_through_naturalisation.html

that because he was here on a student visa that he would not be eligible. but "The Minister for Justice and Law Reform has power to waive one or more of the conditions for naturalisation in the following circumstances:

If you are of Irish descent or of Irish associations or are a parent or guardian applying on behalf of a minor child of Irish descent or Irish associations"

Now my question is does his relationship to me apply in this regard? I am Irish by birth and his sister has been an Irish citizen since 2006, both currently living here in the country.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Dandelion6

The Department of Justice is remarkably reticent about explaining under what circumstances the "Irish associations" waiver would be applied. I think it's usually fourth generation Irish Americans who try to go that route and almost inevitably get knocked back. Your brother-in-law sounds like he has a better chance than them but I'd imagine it's still fairly rare. No harm in trying though.