Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the naturalisation application in the case of person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/06]

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 11 January 2006 and 6 September 2006 respectively. The application for the second named person under the reference quoted by the Deputy was refused on 28 January 2005. A letter issued to the applicant advising her of this on 1 February 2005. The reference for the new application received from this person is 68/4724/06. A letter issued to notify her of this on 15 September 2006.

The average processing time for applications for naturalisation for adults is approximately 24 months at the present time. However, I understand that the persons involved 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 volume of applications on hand.

I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on their applications.