Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Naughten raised several matters and I will take them in turn. I am delighted to deal with the question of citizenship which was not asked in his question. The question dealt with residency and immigration which do not of themselves guarantee Irish citizenship. Citizenship rests in my discretion as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is a privilege to be made a citizen of Ireland and a person accepted for citizenship must subscribe to a declaration of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

I am advised by the citizenship section of the Department that the number of applications for naturalisation yet to be processed to a conclusion is approximately 17,000 and we have had a large increase in these——

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