Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications currently before his Department for certificates of naturalisation on the basis of marriage to Irish citizens. [36366/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The number of applications for naturalisation on hand as of 2 November 2006, including applications based on marriage to an Irish citizen, is approximately 11,000. I am advised that statistics are not maintained in such a manner as to readily identify applications from the spouses of Irish citizens from any other applicants.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason applications for certificates of naturalisation, lodged by persons who are married to Irish citizens for three years, take a further two years to process from the date of application; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such delays cause hardship and inconvenience to many families; and if he will take steps to have such applications dealt with efficiently in his Department within a reasonable time. [36367/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Applications for certificates of naturalisation, including those from persons married to Irish citizens, are generally dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be fairest to all applicants. The average processing time for such applications is approximately 24 months and this is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years.

The table below shows the total number of applications received in the years 2000 to date. I should point out that statistics are not maintained in such a manner as to readily identify applications from the spouses of Irish citizens from other applicants. These figures illustrate a significant upward trend in the number of applications received in recent years. With over 5,500 applications received to date in 2006, this upward trend looks set to continue and it appears likely that some 6,500 will be received this year.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour and applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is given only to persons who satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

The procedures employed to assess an applicant for naturalisation are as set out in summary form below. Upon receipt, each application is examined to determine if the statutory application is completed fully. Incomplete application forms are returned to the applicant for amendment. Valid applications are then examined to determine if the applicant meets the statutory residency criteria set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. Passports and other documentation are examined in detail and enquiries with the Garda National Immigration Bureau may also be necessary. Since this procedure was introduced on 1 April 2005, over 3,000 applicants who applied since that date have been found to be ineligible. All such applicants are informed of any shortfall in their residency and will be able to reapply when they have the required residency.

The next stage of the process involves assessing an applicant's financial status in respect of their ability to support themselves in the State. Enquiries with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs may be necessary in this regard. At the same time enquiries are also made with the Garda Síochána to clarify if the applicant can be deemed to be of good character. There may also be circumstances in individual cases which require a greater level of investigation than other cases. Once all enquiries are completed, the file is referred to me for a decision. The Deputy will appreciate that these processes can take a lengthy time to complete.

The above procedures have been developed and refined over a number of years and I am satisfied that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process. Consequently, having regard to the resources available, which are kept under constant review, there is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved.