Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28397/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's question were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 16 June 2005. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation for adults is approximately 24 months at the present time. However, I understand that the persons concerned are refugees. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible, having regard to the general volume of applications on hand. I will inform the Deputy and the persons concerned when I have reached a decision on the applications.