Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the processing time for applications for a certificate of naturalisation; his views on whether it is acceptable that a person should have to wait for such a period; the steps which he is taking to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15671/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In my response to the Deputy in Question No. 412 on 4 April 2006, I set out a synopsis of the process involved in considering applications for naturalisation. In this regard, it is important to note that naturalisation is not an entitlement so there is no question of rubber stamping the approval of applications. Naturalisation is a privilege granted at my absolute discretion and I must, therefore, be fully satisfied that all applicants meet the statutory requirements set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act.

I also provided the Deputy with statistics in my reply to his earlier parliamentary question of the number of applications for naturalisation received in the years 2000 to 2005. These figures illustrate a significant upward trend in the number of applications received during that six year period. With 1,936 applications received to date in 2006, the upward trend looks set to continue and it appears likely that close to 6,000 applications will be received this year.

At the start of 2001, the average processing time for an application for naturalisation was two and a half years. Additional staff were assigned to the citizenship section of the Department and by the beginning of 2002, the average processing time had been reduced to 15 months. However, the processing time started to rise again as my officials began to process the 3,574 applications received in 2002. During 2004 and into early 2005, I doubled the number of staff dealing exclusively with citizenship matters to the current level of 41. This resulted in a stabilising of the processing time at 24 months, notwithstanding the continuing increase in the volume of applications being received. My officials continue to examine ways to reduce processing times but in view of the significant increase in the volume of applications being received it is unlikely that an early reduction can be achieved in the current processing time of 24 months.