TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Executive summary.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Background......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Key findings....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 UNHCR Recommendations...........................................................................................................................................................................7
2. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Statelessness across the Globe................................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.1 Definition of Statelessness...................................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.2 Causes of Statelessness......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.3 Consequences of Statelessness..........................................................................................................................................................10
2.2 The International and Regional Legal Framework..............................................................................................................................10
2.2.1 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons......................................................................................................10
2.2.2 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.....................................................................................................................11
2.2.3 International Human Rights Law on Statelessness........................................................................................................................11
2.2.4 European Regional Legal Framework ..............................................................................................................................................12
2.3 UNHCR’s Mandate on Statelessness.......................................................................................................................................................13
3. S
tatelessness in Ireland ...................................................................................................................................................................14
3.1 National Legal Framework...........................................................................................................................................................................14
3.1.1 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended)................................................................................................................14
3.1.2 International Protection Act 2015........................................................................................................................................................15
3.2 An overview of the practice concerning identification of stateless persons in Ireland..........................................................16
3.2.1 Formal Declarations of Statelessness................................................................................................................................................16
3.2.2 The International Protection Procedure...........................................................................................................................................19
3.2.3 Immigration Procedures.......................................................................................................................................................................23
3.2.4 Registration of immigration permission ..........................................................................................................................................26
4. S
tatistical overview of stateless persons in Ireland..................................................................................................................... 27
5. Rights of Stateless Persons in Ireland ...........................................................................................................................................30
5.1 Travel Documents for Stateless Persons................................................................................................................................................30
5.2 Access to Citizenship....................................................................................................................................................................................31
6. Reduction and Prevention of Statelessness.................................................................................................................................. 33
6.1 Reduction of Childhood Statelessness...................................................................................................................................................33
6.2 Withdrawal of Citizenship and Statelessness......................................................................................................................................35
7. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
7.1 Recommendations..........................................................................................................................................................................................38