§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Under what circumstances persons born in the Republic of Ireland and now resident in the United Kingdom can obtain a full British passport. [HL3943]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonUnder the British Nationality Act 1981 adults, including Irish citizens, may be naturalised as British citizens if they have lived in the United Kingdom for the preceding five years (three years if married to a British citizen) at the date of application and they meet certain other requirements. A person who holds British citizenship can apply for a British citizen passport.
Irish citizens born before 1949 who have also remained British subjects are eligible for British subject passports. British subjects are entitled to registration as British citizens if they have lived in the United Kingdom for the preceding five years and meet certain other residence requirements.
Irish minors can be registered as British citizens in a variety of circumstances, some of which entail residence in the United Kingdom.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 which guaranteed parity of esteem for both cultures and traditions on the island of Ireland, they will announce arrangements to make British passports available to residents of the Republic of Ireland. [HL3944]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe Belfast Agreement does not contain or imply any undertaking by the British Government to confer British citizenship on the basis of residence in the Republic of Ireland and there are no plans to amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to provide for this.