Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be finalised in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33845/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 28 April 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 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.