Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for Irish citizenship on the basis of their marriage here. [4827/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A declaration of acceptance of Irish citizenship as post-nuptial citizenship was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 19 November 2005 from the person referred to in the Deputy's question.

The statutory provisions providing for the process of post-nuptial citizenship were repealed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2001. This change came into effect on 30 November 2002. A transition provision contained in that Act provided that persons who married Irish citizens prior to 30 November 2002 could make a declaration on or before 29 November 2005. In the period leading up to the closing of the transition period, the number of declarations received increased significantly with the result that there are now almost 8,000 such declarations awaiting consideration in this Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Declarations received from persons resident outside Ireland are processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In the circumstances, it is not possible to say precisely when the declaration of the person concerned will be finalised. I will advise the Deputy and the applicant when processing of the declaration in question has been completed.