John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) meet the residency criteria for the certificate of naturalisation as they have resided here for six years which can be proved and they are now ineligible due to Department delays in processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11789/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In response to Question No. 251 on 17 October 2006, I informed the Deputy that applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons concerned were received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 11 July, 2006.

On examination of the applications, a determination was made that the applicants did not meet the statutory conditions relating to reckonable residency. The Deputy will be aware that reckonable residency is time spent in the State for which permission to remain has been granted.

There is no question of delays in processing giving rise to ineligibility in this case, rather the applicants, by not having at least five years permission to remain at the date of application, failed to fulfil the residency requirement.