Second special report - Citizenship and passport processes relating to Northern Ireland: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2021–22

This is the government's response, published 3 February 2022.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government largely maintains its existing positions on naturalisation fees, the Life in the UK test, renunciation and resumption, while stating it is "firmly committed" to the birthright provisions and will continue to work with the Irish Government.

• On naturalisation, the Government "notes" the Committee's views on fees for Irish citizens but has "no plans to review the fee for citizenship applications". It also considers the Life in the UK test "an important part" of naturalisation.
• On the ceremony, exemptions are limited to special circumstances. The Government "will assess" the ongoing use of virtual ceremonies as the pandemic need reduces.
• On renunciation, the Government agrees with the aspiration of a simple process, "although tempered by" the need for a recognisable legal process. It says the approach to resumption "does not need to change", and it "cannot rule out future increases" to the renunciation fee.
• The Government "will continue to work closely with the Irish Government" on matters including identity and citizenship. It is also "considering what more can be done" to make processes clearer, and will consider the report in that context.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error