Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Moynihan. It is a very fair point. The Department of Justice has continued to accept and process applications throughout the pandemic at all levels of public health restrictions. Unfortunately, processing rates have been impacted by the health and safety restrictions imposed and it has not been possible to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies. Following a High Court case in 2019, there was a successful appeal to the Court of Appeal, which resulted in significant delays. There are approximately 24,500 applications which are at various stages in the system, ranging from those just received to those where a decision has been made. Between 12,000 and 13,000 applications are received each year. On 18 January, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, opened a temporary system that enables applicants to complete the naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. Approximately 2,900 people have received their Irish citizenship since then.

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