6 weeks away from country after citizenship application

[mentalmind]

Well this is quite often asked question and I answered few times but here we go. There is a note saying that if you are away from Ireland for more than 6 weeks, you need to let ISD know by email. Does this 6 weeks means per year after application?

I applied in November 2021, and most likely I won't get any updates till mid 2023. So should I notify ISD if I exceed 6 weeks till mid 2023 or is it 6 weeks in a year? (as in if I am away for 6 weeks between 1 Jan 2022 - 1 Jan 2023)

Is there any detailed info about it?

[littlerr]

As you must have figured it out at this stage, if it’s not publicly available on INIS or Oireachtas website, it’s because INIS doesn’t have a legally sound plan either.

To be on the safe side, I would inform them if you travel for more than 6 weeks during any 365 days period, but personally I think it makes more sense to treat it as calendar year - as most people get their annual leaves based on calendar year.

[littlerr]

By the way, if you read the Minister’s wording on some of the recent parliamentary questions, you will see that the Minister is deliberately using vague words in such scenarios:

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/qu ... 05-26/324/
(There are quite a few similar answers like this one.)

As the person concerned has already submitted their application, the six weeks absence rule no longer applies. They should, however, contact my Department at: citizenshipinfo@justice.ie, if they intend to remain outside of the State for an extended period of time.