Written answers

Tuesday, 20 November 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Citizenship Applications

8:00 pm

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on reviewing the manner in which applications for naturalisation are determined; if he will give priority to senior citizens of an advanced age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29746/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The procedures employed to assess an applicant for naturalisation are as set out in summary form as follows.

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 3,500 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 An 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. Once all enquiries are completed, the file is referred to me for a decision. The Deputy will appreciate that while these processes can take a lengthy time to complete, I am satisfied that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process.

Applications for certificates of naturalisation are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. This practice is not deviated from except in exceptional circumstances. If an individual applicant feels that his or her personal circumstances are such as to warrant taking their application out of sequence, that person can set out his or her reasons for wishing to have the application expedited and any such request will be given full consideration. More generally, it is my intention to review the criteria for eligibility for citizenship through naturalisation and my Department is carrying out some work on this at present.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for a certificate of naturalisation will be accepted for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo based on their periods of reckonable residence in this State; and the period of reckonable residence attributed to this person. [29796/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in September 2006. On examination of the application it was determined that the person concerned did not satisfy the residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A letter informing the applicant of this was issued on 14 February 2007 If the individual in question keeps his permission to remain in the State up to date he will be in a position to lodge a new application in February 2010.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when applications for Irish citizenship will be finalised for persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [29797/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first individual referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in January 2004. Officials in that Section inform me that processing of the application has commenced and the file will be forwarded to me for a decision in the near future. An application for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of the second individual mentioned was submitted by his mother to the Citizenship Section of my Department in January 2007. Due to the fact that applications on behalf of minors generally require less processing than standard adult applications, it is usually possible to finalise them more quickly. Based on current processing trends, it is likely that the application on behalf of the person concerned will be finalised in the second half of 2008. I will inform the Deputy and the persons concerned when I have reached a decision in each case.

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