Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure involved for an EU national, resident in this country for the past 18 months who wishes to apply for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16676/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are that the applicant must—

be of full age, or by the way of exception, be a minor born in the State

be of good character

have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of the application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years

intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

On receipt of an application for naturalisation, an initial examination is conducted in order to determine if the applicant meets the above-mentioned statutory residency criteria. If the applicant fulfils the residency criteria, the application will then be considered in accordance with the other statutory requirements before being passed to the Minister for a decision. At present, the average processing time for such applications is thirty months. The above conditions apply to Nationals of all States including Citizens of the European Union.

Further information may be obtained from my Department's website (www.justice.ie) or by telephoning the Citizenship Section helpline on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 10.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. at Lo-call 1890 551 550 or (01) 6167700.