Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The Minister understands that the applicant submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act for any records about this matter held by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. A decision on that request was communicated to him on 15 May 2006. If, following an examination of the copy of his or her case file, an applicant considers that the Minister's decision was based on incorrect or incomplete information, he or she can seek a review of that decision. The applicant was also informed that he can reapply for the granting of a certificate of naturalisation at any time. The Minister understands that a second application was lodged in the Department's citizenship section on 23 March 2006. That section is processing applications that were made in the first half of 2005. Applications are dealt with in chronological order because that is deemed to be the fairest way of treating all applicants. Therefore, there is no question of any prevarication on the part of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in dealing with this application. As I have previously advised, the person in question can expect to receive a decision on his case in the latter half of next year.