Judges are continuing to consider what declaration to make following their ruling last October that the procedure set out under section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 is unconstitutional.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission appeared before the court yesterday in its role as amicus curiae to submit that the appropriate order would strike down section 19 of the 1956 Act in its entirety.

It would then fall to the Oireachtas to enact legislation providing for the revocation of naturalisation including a procedure which meets the standards set out by the court in its October judgment, the watchdog said.

Chief commissioner Sinéad Gibney said: “Citizenship is inextricably linked with a person’s identity and a range of civil rights, therefore the Commission welcomes the opportunity to make additional submissions to the court on how this legislation can be brought into line with the Constitution.”