Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 990: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure for naturalisation in the case of the children of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25229/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It seems the man in question obtained Irish citizenship by registration in the foreign births register on 16 July 2001. The woman to whom the Deputy refers recently became an Irish citizen on foot of making a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship. Since all three children were born before the couple became Irish citizens, they cannot obtain Irish citizenship automatically through their parents.

However, it is open to the woman in question to apply for naturalisation on behalf of all three children, or the man in respect of the two youngest children and the woman in respect of the oldest child, and I have asked officials in the citizenship section of my Department to send the appropriate forms to her. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation is approximately 24 months but it is usually possible to finalise applications on behalf of minors more quickly. In the meantime, the couple's eldest child, who is 16 years, should register immediately with the Garda national immigration bureau.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 991: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when naturalisation will be offered in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25230/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the citizenship section of my Department on 21 January 2005. Based on the volume of applications on hand at the present time, it is likely the applications of the persons referred to, both of whom have refugee status in the State, will be finalised by the middle of 2006.

I will inform both the applicants and the Deputy as soon as I have arrived at a decision in the matter.