James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We introduced the new statutory declaratory process last January to address the backlog of applications. A number of amendments were needed to be able to carry this out. In the normal course of events, people would make their declarations in the presence of the relevant Ministers at that time at a set location. Because that could not be done, however, this new statutory declaration process was brought in.

As I said, 6,500 applicants have been invited to complete the final steps prior to the granting of the certificate of naturalisation, and 3,900 people have received their certificates so far. Almost 1,000 people are due to receive their certificates very soon. We are, therefore, using this process to try to clear off that backlog as quickly as possible with regard to citizenship. We hope that in the near future, we will be able to get back to in-person granting of citizenship as quickly as possible, which is a hugely emotional and important day for people who become citizens of this country. It is something we can all be very proud of being part of.

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