Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a decision on the application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been postponed in view of the fact that their spouse, whose application was made at the same time, has been awarded naturalisation; if it is intended that the family should remain together; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3344/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Applications for naturalisation from the persons in question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 10 February 2004. As each application for naturalisation is examined on its merits, it does not automatically follow that because one person is granted citizenship that a spouse or other family member will also be granted citizenship. Therefore, when I considered the applications referred to in the Deputy's question, in December 2006, I decided to grant a certificate of naturalisation to the spouse of the person concerned and to defer making a final decision in the first-named person's case until December 2007.

Both persons were informed separately of my decisions and the first named person was also notified of my position and the reason for it. I intend to wait until December 2007 to make a final decision on the matter although my officials will be in touch with the person concerned in advance of submitting the file to me for a final decision. My decision to defer consideration of the first-named individual's application should have no bearing on whether the family remain together.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date in the application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3345/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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An application for naturalisation from the person in question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 24 April 2006. Applications received in the second half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 7100 applications awaiting processing before that of the person in question. Applications for naturalisation, including those made from persons married to Irish citizens, are generally dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be fairest to all applicants. It is likely that the processing of this application will commence in late 2008. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on the matter.