The applicant in the case is a naturalised Irish citizen whose child was born outside of Ireland.

The applicant applied for an Irish certificate of nationality and an Irish passport on behalf of their child and was informed that the birth would first need to be entered on the foreign birth regitser.

The foreign birth registration requirement does not apply to the children of Irish citizens who are Irish citizens by birth, adoption or descent.

The applicant argues that the requirement to register the birth of their child on a foreign birth register in order to have the child’s citizenship recognised by the State is discriminatory.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission provided legal assistance to the applicant in making the ex parte application to the High Court on Tuesday.

Director Deirdre Malone said: “Naturalised Irish citizens are entitled to all the rights, entitlements and supports on an equal basis with other Irish people.

“We are pleased to provide legal assistance in this important case. The basis of our democracy is that all Irish citizens are treated equally.”