The Act of 1956 is amended by the insertion of the following sections after section 15A:

"15B. Naturalisation of minors born in State

(1) Upon receipt of an application under this section for a certificate of naturalisation in respect of a minor, the Minister may, in his or her absolute discretion, grant the application if satisfied that the minor -

(a) was born in the State,

(b) subject to subsection (2), is of good character,

(c) has had a period of one year's continuous residence in the State immediately before the date of the application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, has had a total residence in the State amounting to two years, and

(d) subject to subsection (3), has, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows -

(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and

(ii) undertaken, in the prescribed manner, to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.

(2) Where a minor is under 14 years of age on the date of his or her application under this section for a certificate of naturalisation, the condition at paragraph (b) of subsection (1) shall apply to him or her only where he or she -

(a) is charged with, and is awaiting trial for, or