As the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 (“the Bill”) passed the Seanad today, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has again written to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. In our letter, we highlighted our grave concerns about the contents of the Bill and anticipates that the Bill in its current form will lead to further litigation. The previous system for revocation was struck down by the Supreme Court four years ago. Once enacted, the Bill will amend the relevant provisions of Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, that deals with the revocation of citizenship. The relevant proposed amendments were published only last week, 9 July 2024, for insertion at Committee Stage. Notwithstanding this, the legislation passed through both houses of the Oireachtas in just eight days, seriously limiting the time available for appropriate pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposed amending legislation to ensure that constitutionally compliant safeguards are built into it. Irish Human Rights and Equality Director Deirdre Malone said,
“The Commission believes that this Bill, as enacted, would empower Ministers to use revocation of naturalised citizenship in inappropriate or disproportionate circumstances. Furthermore, it contains procedural and substantive provisions that, in our view, are unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny when tested against the high standards envisaged by the Supreme Court in earlier litigation. As this Bill enters into force, further litigation of this nature is, in our view, inevitable. Legislation of this nature does not engender confidence in our system of revocation – particularly for our fellow citizens who are Irish by naturalisation.”
To see letter to Minister McEntee, dated today, dated 17 July, click here
To see previous letter to Minister McEntee, dated 16 July, click here To see previous letter to Minister McEntee, dated 10 July, click here ENDS/ For further information, please contact: Sarah Clarkin IHREC Communications Manager, 01 8592641 / 087 4687760 sarah.clarkin@ihrec.ie Follow us on twitter @_IHREC
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is an independent public body, appointed by the President and directly accountable to the Oireachtas. The Commission has a statutory remit set out under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act (2014) to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland, and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights institution and is recognised as such by the United Nations. The Commission is also Ireland’s national equality body for the purpose of a range of EU anti-discrimination measures.