Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the naturalisation process will be completed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28240/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 424 of 19 April 2005, 199 of 21 April 2005 and 988 of 28 September 2005. In those replies I informed the Deputy that I had decided to refuse an application from the person concerned. I set out the basis for my decision and I also informed the Deputy that a new application from the person concerned had been received in the citizenship section of my Department on 18 July 2005.

Based on the volume of applications on hand at present, it is likely that the application of the person concerned, who has refugee status in the State, will be finalised by the end of 2006. I will be in touch with the Deputy and the applicant when a decision has been made on the matter.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for post-nuptial citizenship will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [28241/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that there is no record of a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship having been lodged by the person concerned. In fact, since he only married on 24 July 2003, he is not eligible to make such a declaration at this time and will not be eligible to make such a declaration prior to the ending of the scheme of post-nuptial citizenship on 29 November 2005.

However the person in question made an application for residency in the State on the sole basis of marriage to an Irish national. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State. The application is currently under consideration and it is expected that a decision will be made within the next two weeks.