Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1200: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an examination for naturalisation will be completed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1556/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the replies to Parliamentary Question Numbers 695 and 1045 for answer on 26 June 2007 and 26 September 2007 respectively. The position remains as stated.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1201: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for naturalisation in view of the fact that they were out of work for two months out of the past three full years of employment due to an accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1557/08]

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 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 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

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person mentioned in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in May 2002.

The file was forwarded to my predecessor in November 2004 and he decided to refuse the application. The reason for refusal was disclosed to the person concerned in a letter dated 25 November 2004.

It is open to the person in question to lodge a new application should he be in a position to meet the statutory requirements applicable at that time.