Dublin: The Irish government has officially reinstated legislation enabling the revocation of Irish citizenship in cases involving serious criminal convictions or connections to terrorism. The updated law, which came into effect on April 7, 2025, was amended in response to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that had raised constitutional concerns about the earlier version of the legislation.
Under Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, the Minister for Justice now retains the authority to revoke citizenship granted through naturalisation if it is found to have been fraudulently obtained or if the individual is deemed to pose a serious threat to national security, including involvement in terrorist activities.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan emphasised that the reintroduced legislation is a vital tool for national security and is intended to be used sparingly and judiciously. He assured the public that revocation would only occur in exceptional and extreme cases, noting that the decision would carry significant legal and personal consequences.
“This is not about punishing naturalised citizens, but about protecting the integrity of our citizenship and our national interests,” said Minister O’Callaghan. “Revocation will only be considered where there is clear evidence of serious wrongdoing or risk.”
Historical data presented in the Dáil indicates that the power to revoke citizenship has been exercised fewer than ten times since the law’s introduction in 1956. Former Justice Minister Helen McEntee previously confirmed that revocations occurred only in cases involving fraud or threats to national security.
Human Rights Concerns
However, the law’s reinstatement has drawn strong criticism from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), which expressed concerns about its potential impact on the rights of naturalised citizens.
In a statement, Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick described the move as “regrettable”, warning that the legislation could render individuals stateless and may fail to adhere to international legal standards around due process and proportionality.
“The concentration of such a serious power in the hands of a single minister raises significant concerns around transparency and oversight,” Herrick said. “The lives of those affected could be irrevocably harmed, and the law provides insufficient safeguards against misuse.”
IHREC also noted that the revised law was fast-tracked through a parliamentary committee in just eight days in July of last year, without sufficient consultation or public debate. The Commission had previously appealed to the government to delay implementation until autumn 2025, allowing for further scrutiny.
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