Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7035/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 370 on Wednesday 31 January 2007. The position remains as stated.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for citizenship in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7036/07]

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 21 January 2005.

While both persons are recognized refugees, the second-named person did not satisfy the residency requirement as set out in Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended. I will normally waive two years of the statutory residency requirement in cases where it is appropriate to consider applications under the provisions of Section 16 of the above-mentioned Act. However, the second-named applicant was not resident in the State for three years at the time he applied for naturalisation and I decided to refuse his application at that time. His solicitor was advised of this on 19 October 2005.

In the case of the first-named person, who satisfied the residency requirements at time of application, processing of her claim is continuing and I understand that the file will be presented to me shortly for a decision. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision.